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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Archives for December 2014

2 Big Hits & A BIG Thank YOU from THE NEON!

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The_Imitation_Game_3051179cHello Everyone,

This past weekend was really big at THE NEON! In fact, it was our third best weekend of the year (GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL holds the title for “Best Weekend Ever” and the weekend we opened AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY as well as INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS was our second best of the year). Needless to say, we’re going to hold both THE IMITATION GAME and WILD for another week. Remaining showtimes for this current week can be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com

To learn more about each film, visit our site…or each of the film’s official sites:  THE IMITATION GAME and WILD.

Below are a couple featurettes about each of our films.  Take a look!

It is now 100% official that 2014 has been our Best Year Ever at THE NEON! Thank you so much for making that happen. Without customer loyalty and positive word of mouth, we could not have reached such success. THANK YOU!

On December 23, Sony Pictures revealed that they would move forward with screening the controversial film THE INTERVIEW at independent cinemas on December 25. Immediately following that announcement, we had numerous phone calls and emails asking if we would be playing the film. With only 2 screens, making such drastic, last-minute changes was out of the question for us. We told the press that we were investigating the possibility of bringing the film for select screenings during the first weekend of 2015…but that was misconstrued by many as “THE NEON is going to play THE INTERVIEW.” As it turns out, Sony refused our offer. Because they refused our offer and because the film is available on so many VOD platforms, we are no longer pursuing and engagement of the film. Thanks for your understanding.

KRW Cycles is attempting to bring another motorcycle-inspired film to town. “ON ANY SUNDAY: THE NEXT CHAPTER is an exploration into the pursuit of excitement, passion and life in the two-wheeled world of motorcycle riding. Experiences that are as relatable to a rider as a day with friends, others that explore human triumph and overcoming fear, and some which occur once in a lifetime. One moment of riding a motorcycle – On Any Sunday.Critically acclaimed director Dana Brown (“Step Into Liquid” and “Dust to Glory”) teams up with his father, Academy Award Nominee Bruce Brown (“The Endless Summer” and “On Any Sunday”) to journey deeper into the humanity, thrills and excitement of the global culture of motorcycle riding; those who are bonded by their passion for the race, the love of family and friendship, and on a deeper level – their quest for the thrill of the next ride.” This is a tugg event. The movie is scheduled to screen on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30. If not enough reservations are made by Jan. 2, the event will be cancelled. Visit this LINK to reserve your ticket.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Jan. 2 – Thursday, Jan. 8:

THE IMITATION GAME (PG-13) 1 Hr 54 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

WILD (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Jan. 9 or 16 – FOXCATCHER
TBD – OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
TBD – FORCE MAJEURE
TBD – MR. TURNER
TBD – STILL ALICE
TBD – OSCAR SHORTS
TBD – TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT
TBD – LEVIATHAN
TBD – WILD TALES
TBD – THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Ashley’s Pastries: Rob Lowe & Martin Sheen Love ’em Too!

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The Sandy Tart Cookie was a favorite on the set of the “West Wing” TV show

“A” list celebrities like the Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, and of course the Food Adventures Crew, love Ashley’s Pastry Shop in Oakwood.

A small but bustling shop, this family business has developed a loyal following through quality baked goods of all kinds.  From cookies and cakes, to pastries and specialty items, this place is a treasure trove for a good Food Adventure.  Our own Chef House has been visiting Ashley’s Pastry Shop for decades, and introduced The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and The King to this place.  Now, after a couple months, we are hooked too!  It seems the secret to the pastry shop’s success is hard work, friendly service, and the most delicate and delicious pastries in the Dayton area.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Owners Theresa Hammons and her husband Greg, opened the shop in 1982 and named it after their newborn daughter, Ashley.  The place is always busy with patrons dropping in and leaving quickly with their bag of goodies, and a smile on their face.

— Ashley’s Pastry Shop has lots of trademark items that are available year round, but they also have an endless array of custom made items.  Also, some of the pastries available, change to fit the particular season of the year.

 

 

— Professional service and quality foodstuffs make them an easy “go-to” for personalized cakes and cookies for any occasion.  They also make homemade pies, dinner rolls and breads in-house!

Owner Theresa Hammons Ships her goods from Hollywood to Broadway

Theresa Hammons has sent her pastries from Hollywood to Broadway

— The company prides itself on community involvement, and supports many local charities.

— The quaint storefront is located at 21 Park Ave, in Oakwood, and also offers catering, delivery and wedding cake services.

 

With the literally hundreds of items at this pastry shop, it can be hard to sort through favorites.  It will take months of visits before you hone in on your faves.  There are so many original items, and that’s one of the reasons that we love this place so much.  They set the trends, no copycat stuff here.

Let’s explore those one-of-a-kind items that surpass the best of the best.  We present our patented, “MUST EATS !”

 

MUST EATS: 

 — GLAZED CROISSANTS:  Hands down, the best croissant we have ever eaten.  It is part croissant, part doughnut.  Light, yet filling, this is a sinful take on the French pastry.  Ah, Mon dieu !! Oui, Monsieur.  We have never had anything like it anywhere else.   Made fresh daily, they produce a ton of them, but they go fast !  Grab one and then thank us later, because this is the “piece de resistance.”

 

— “YUM YUMS”: A Dayton original.  A doughnut folded inside itself, is the only way we can explain it.  It is a rich glazed doughnut with a unique design.  It pulls apart from your hand to your mouth like a  string of cheese pizza sometimes.  It is a masterpiece of glazed magnificence, and a MUST EAT on any Food Adventure visit to Ashley’s Pastry Shop.

 

"Yum Yums" - A Dayton Original at Ashley's Pastry Shop in Oakwood— SANDY TARTS:  A unique twist on a sugar cookie.  Cinnamony (is that a word), with a touch of chocolate mousse-like, creamy topping make the cookies irresistible.  The cookie is another Dayton Original, like no other.   These are the cookies that the TV Show the WEST WING would have delivered to the set on a weekly basis during the show’s run.  The cookies were known to be favorites of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe and Allison Janney, who, of course, are all Dayton natives.  We don’t know if  “Scrawny Arms Rob Lowe,” ” Hairy Rob Lowe,” or “Creepy Rob Lowe“ like the cookies too.

 

— THE PECAN SLICES:  A Pastry that is part danish and part pecan pie.  Again, We have experienced nothing like this breakfast dessert.  The pastry is drizzled with icing and topped with pecans.  We believe there may be a slight touch of caramel involved too.  Original in design and big on flavor, it is a melt in your mouth, flaky slice of love.  It is sturdy enough to dip in your coffee.  Go for it, the worst that could happen is you knock a little pecan flavor into your cup.

 

The Glazed Croissant is the best croissant you will ever sink your teeth into

The Glazed Croissant is the best croissant you will ever sink your teeth into

— CARROT CAKE CUPCAKE:  There is a reason we give you must eats.  Because you might not have never tried this one.  Are you a lover of carrot cake?  Well this is the flavor and richness of an entire cake in the confines of a huge cupcake.  Iced on top with a decorative carrot, the inside is a perfectly moist creation.  It is one of those food that when you eat, and try to tell people how good it is, but you just get out a mumbled “oh my gaaaa.”   A glass of milk is the perfect compliment to this delicious dessert.

 

— THE BLUEBERRY DANISH:  Made from scratch by people who know the craft.  Not an original idea, but one of the sweetest, and flakiest slices of deliciousness we have ever eaten.  As you take a bite, the pastries delicate fluff yields to the gobs of blueberry filling staring you right down the pike.  Truth be told, we could each probably eat 4 of these.  All the flavors of danish are insanely good here.  Just keep away from our pile, ok ?

 

We wanted to throw out a quick “thank you” to the attentive staff who is always so friendly and helpful when we visit, even though they are extremely busy.

There are so many other amazing items at this bakery, that you must see it for yourself.  From gingerbread houses, to packed display cases of cookies and cakes, it is a sight to behold.  The Food Adventures Crew loves to see places like Ashley’s Pastry Shop thriving after 32 years in Dayton.  Stop by the little shop in Oakwood and see how originality, hard work and friendly service has produced magical results.

Please check out our HUGE PHOTO GALLERY below of pastries and more from Ashley’s !

Are you a Facebook foodie?  “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here, and find your paradise.

Follow us on Twitter @food_adv  for the best take on Dayton’s eats.

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Fifth Street Brewpub Drink Up Dayton Challenge

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10892008_616248208503444_6563774031219974521_nDayton’s only coop brewpub is going local for the entire month of January and they are challenging Dayton’s beer lovers to do the same.  All month long they will of course be featuring their own beers, but their additional taps will be pouring beers from The Dayton  Beer Company, Eudora Brewing Co., The Hairless Hare Brewery, Lock 27 Brewing, Lucky Star Brewery, Nowhere in Particular, Star City Brewing, Toxic Brew Company, Yellow Springs Brewery and Warped Wing Brewing Company.

 

Are You up for the Challenge?DrinkupT

Drink 15 Dayton beers, that’s 5 from Fifth Street Brewpub (FSB) and 1 from each of the 10 local breweries on tap  in the month of January  at the Brewpub and receive a Drink Up Dayton t-shirt. You’ll have until Feb 6th to present your completed stamped card in and then shirts will be ready for pick-up by March 1st.

And during the month of January look for FSB to release some bran new beers of their own:

Jan 1st- Scottish Reign & Cup O’Jo’s Stout

Jan 17th- Saphire 1PA Double IPA

For more details and to find out what beers will be featured check FSB’s facebook page or ask your beertender or server while you’re at the Brewpub.  FSB is located at 1600 E. Fifth Street in St. Anne’s Hill.  For more information please visit  FifthStreetBrewpub.coop  and click on the Events & News page.

 

Celebrating Karen Levin On Her Birthday!

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levinka04Karen Levin is a native Daytonian, serving as executive director, trustee, and secretary of the Levin Family Foundation. The not-for-profit philanthropic organization grants about $1 million annually to Montgomery County organizations that focus on the hungry, the homeless, the medically underserved as well as women and children at risk.  While health issues are a focus, the Levin Family Foundation also supports organizations as varied as Habitat for Humanity, The Human Race Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the Dayton Art Institute, SICSA, and more.

Karen was appointed to the Executive Director’s position on January 1st, 2001.

Prior to her appointment, she worked in Biomedical Research at Wright State University and served as a physician assistant working in family practice and geriatrics. In 2008 she completed her Masters degree in Public Health from Wright State University.

Karen serves on the board of directors of:

Her favorite projects involve programs that deal with the medically underserved and children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Celebrating Life and Health is one of the main programs she works on throughout the year because she believes that it is morally wrong not to provide preventative health care testing to all segments of the population.

measles campaign

Her trip to Madagascar and participation in the American Red Cross Measles Campaign in September and October 2004 was a life changing experience. She discovered that sometimes you have to go halfway around the world and experience true deprivation and hardship to uncover who you really are. She hopes to volunteer for more medical missions in the future.

Karen can frequently be seen on the bike paths riding her silver recumbent bicycle. She also works quite a bit in the fiber arts. Her specialties are knitting and weaving. The creed she lives by:

“Never believe your own PR!”

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Rubi Girl?

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YWCA Dayton Announces 2015 Women of Influence

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WOI Collage The YWCA Dayton will honor seven local women at the annual Women of Influence Awards Luncheon on March 12, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dayton Convention Center.

The YWCA Dayton Women of Influence honorees are women in the greater Dayton community who through their philanthropic work embody the mission of the YWCA – to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Nominations were solicited from the community and the honorees were selected by a panel of community leaders.

The 2015 honorees are: Marva Cosby– President, Cosby Consulting Group LLC, Lisa Grigsby – Development Special Events Manager, ARC Ohio, Belinda Matthews-Stenson – Director, Minority Business Partnership (Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce), Barbara Mills – CEO, Founder CBD Advisors, Colleen Ryan – Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio President, Yvonne Wathen – Business Development Director Bravo SCM (Supply Chain Management Consultants) and Karin VanZant – CEO, Co-founder Think Tank.

Additionally, the Lifetmarsha-bonhart320ime Achievement award is presented to an individual who has been very involved with the YWCA over the years, usually serving in a leadership capacity and demonstrating continued support of the YWCA. The 2015 Lifetime Achievement honoree is Marsha Bonhart – award winning journalist, TV anchor, health reporter and consummate volunteer.

“The YWCA has been dedicated to empowering women, racial justice and promoting peace; we have chosen honorees who embody our mission through philanthropic services, change agent work and a heart to share of themselves,” said Shannon Isom, CEO of the YWCA Dayton.

The Women of Influence Awards Luncheon serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the YWCA Dayton. Sponsorship opportunities and ticket information are available at the YWCA Dayton website www.ywcadayton.org or by calling 937.461.5550 ext.119

Top Ten for Dayton Visual Arts, 2014

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10418433_10154296147210506_6873008819514318165_nFor the second year in a row, Shayna V. McConville, Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Kettering, has put together and shared with us her look back at the best of 2014.  We hope you enjoy it!

Another year of amazing art exhibitions, artists and events!  Although I couldn’t make it to everything and even putting this list together was challenging because of the many, many terrific activities of 2014, this does offer a glimpse of a great year of creativity in Dayton. Enjoy!

The Motel Beds and We Care Arts
January 18
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We Care Arts, a nonprofit organization supporting artists with disabilities, and The Motel Beds, a Dayton-based rock/indie band, collaborated on an art/record series that would in turn support the WCA mission. WCA clients created 500 unique LP covers for the release of the Motel Beds’ “These are the Days Gone By.” A fundraiser, live performance and exhibition, the record release/art exhibition celebrated the musical and visual community in an accessible, meaningful evening, celebrating so many things that are great in Dayton.

Benjamin Entner and Steven H. Silberg
April 21 – May 16, 2014
Rosewood Gallery

entner_Colossus

The artwork of Benjamin Entner and Steven Silberg were refreshing examples of artwork not meant to hang on a gallery wall or sit on a pedestal. Entner’s singular piece Colossus was a larger-than-life, realistic inflatable black marker drawing of the artist, the figure’s feet crushing against one gallery wall and his head another. Floor to ceiling, the sculpture’s unexpected scale was awe-inspiring, as was encountering the subject himself, clad only in socks. Silberg, on the other hand, works primarily with the pixel, transforming vernacular pieces of technology into interactive artworks. When a viewer entered the gallery, a video camera activated and recorded movements throughout the space. These movements were translated into layers of color and form on a projection, thrown onto a large gallery wall. The longer the visitor was active in the space, the more complex the composition became, capturing layers upon layers of imagery. Read more about the exhibitions here.

Migiwa Orimo, Adornments
Dayton Art Institute’s Experiencenter
May 10, 2014 – April 12, 2015

Ordinary household items find transformation into beautiful, fancy objects, in the series Adornment. Migiwa Orimo, an artist known for her work exploring humanity and narrative through thoughtful, carefully constructed installations and paintings, created a subtle and exquisite body of work with these altered, everyday objects. Tassels, gemstones and ribbons adorn gloves, mop head yarn and mirrors; a carefully constructed cape and a banner; all pieces perfectly neutralized in immaculate white and frames.Architecture Week Kettering Art Tour
May 12, 2014

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AIA Dayton celebrated Architecture Week 2014 with many activities, including a night of contemporary art and mid-century modern design. Organized by AIA member and artist Terry Welker, the private mid-century home of painter Susanne Scherette King was opened to participants, with architectural details, period furnishings, and her own contemporary paintings on display. Following King’s home, Studio 4095 at Town & Country Shopping Center, one of the first suburban shopping centers of its kind in the US, highlighted both the revitalization of an older Kettering landmark as well as the artwork of painter Ron Rollins and sculptor Terry Welker. Read more here.

Third on Third
Front Street

Rediscovering a place lost in the busy hum of a city is an exciting moment, particularly when it’s assets and vitality are brought into focus by a fresh, timely resurgence of activity. This is the beauty of the monthly Third on Third events, taking place both in an outdoor market on Third Street and also the Front Street Warehouses. With studios open to the public, the third floor of Front Street is suddenly a lively, creative place, allowing access to established and new artists and gallery spaces. Spearheaded by Peter Bekendorf of the Collaboratory, Third on Third is creating a new momentum for this arts destination.HWD Regional Sculpture Competition
August 25 – September 26, 2014
Rosewood Gallery

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Featuring sculpture by artists from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, this year’s HWD Regional Sculpture Exhibition was an incredible variety of materials, techniques and concepts. Particularly interesting where the sheep rug, bear skin, aviation inspired sculptures and the use of common materials transformed into dense, lovely sculptures. Read more about the exhibition here.

Variations on Likeness: Keliy Anderson-Staley, Glenna Jennings, Julie Jones and Daniel McInnis
September 5 – October 18, 2014
Dayton Visual Arts Center

Daniel J. McInnis, "Geoffrey and Kristen, Chicago," 2012, analog chromogenic print

A curated selection of photographic portraiture including tintypes, installation, and large format pieces, the exhibition was thoughtfully selected and interesting in content, technique and formats. Anderson-Staley’s tintypes were mesmerizing visions into the faces of people from around the country, through the use of an intimate, romantic process; McInnis’ large format portraits captured individuals and couples in their own environments in great detail with clarity and vulnerability. Read more about the exhibition here.

Mary Ellen Croteau and Locked-In
Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery
October and November 2014

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Chicago-based artist Croteau inspired many artists and visitors this fall with her installations created from found plastic objects. Collecting thousands of bottle caps and disposable shopping bags, Croteau has built new worlds out of plastic waste, drawing attention to the excessive materials utilized for each installation. Bottle cap paintings and recreations of a corral reef out of woven plastic bags were exciting and easily translatable to DIY art projects (although perhaps not at the same level of Croteau’s mastery). As Croteau’s exhibition came down, “Locked In” began. Three artists were selected to live in the gallery space with the following rules: 3 Days Locked In to Create an Art Installation, 3 Art Tools Each, 3 Boxes of Unknown Stuff to Work From, 1 Videographer 24/3 Filming It All. It was an unusual premise with incredible negotiations, ideas and processes, resulting in a successfully unique experiment. Read more about Croteau’s exhibition here.

Dick Black Estate Sale
October 24 – 25
Dayton Visual Arts Center

For over five decades, Richard Black churned out illustrations, graphic designs, paintings and drawings as a prolific artist and arts educator. When he passed away early in 2014, he left behind a massive collection of thousands of artworks. A weekend sale purged this collection—walls were filled from floor to ceiling with paintings, tables were layers deep in illustrations and sketches, and portfolios were bulging with graphic design work. The sale was a remarkable event, an uncurated view into the reality of an artist’s lifetime of production. Oddly, we were witness to work that was never meant to find an audience alongside work that put Black on the national art scene. The display of the bad, mediocre and the gems made this artist suddenly vulnerable but also allowed us a deeper understanding of his world.4th Annual Art Off
November 14
K12 and Tejas

An annual fundraising event for the K12 and Tejas scholarship program, Art Off was a lively, participatory event featuring artists of all ages. Painting over the course of a few intense hours, spectators watched and even voted for their favorite artist. Finished pieces were auctioned off, with an elementary school and high school “artist” taking first and second place for their innovative, unexpected and passionate paintings. Proclaiming this as the “Iron Chef” style battle for visual artists, the energy, variety of skills, diversity of participating artists and clear passion for art made this event dynamic and celebratory.Bonus Picks:

Beth Holyoke
Dayton Visual Arts Center
January 17 – February 28

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Whimsical, funny, dramatic and sincere, Holyoke’s ceramic portraits touched upon a multitude of ideas of self, ethnicity, origin and color. A part of the REACH conference, which explores cultural similarities and differences, Holyoke’s work was a testament to the diversity of humanity, beyond her masterful ceramic techniques. Read more here.

Materialized
October 27 – December 7
Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries at Wright State University

Featuring 58 artists incorporating three-dimensional printing into their artwork, this exhibition was a glimpse into the present and future of this tool.Deco Japan
November 15, 2014 – January 25, 2015
Dayton Art Institute

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A traveling exhibition featuring the decorative arts from an era marked by cultural shifts and Western influence, Deco Japan brought another world to life through prints, textiles, ceramics, metals, jewelry, painting and sculpture.

Popping the Cork!

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wThere’s no doubt that a bottle of bubbly is the perfect go-to-libation to celebrate New Year.  But how do you choose the right sparkling wine for your festivities? Probably the biggest factors are taste and budget.  If budget is no object, Champagnes like Krug, Dom Perignon and Cristal come to mind.  It’s rare to find a bottle of champagne for under $50.

Champagne is the name given to sparkling wines produced in the French region of Champagne. The name “champagne” is protected by law and can only be used by winemakers from that region. But Italy and Spain offer delicious (and less expensive) alternatives with their respective prosecco and cava.  You can pick up a great prosecco or cave for under $20.

But what’s the difference between these three sparkling wines?

The major difference is in the process of fermentation (the “bubble making process”). Champagne goes through a second fermentation in a sealed bottle. For prosecco and cava, the second fermentation is done in a large vat, also known as the Charmat method. The three wines are also made from different grape varietals: Champagne from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes; cava from macabeo, parellada and xarel-lo grapes and prosecco from glera grapes.600583-1617-21

Each wine has different amounts of fizz, either frizzante or spumante. The easiest way to determine how much fizz your bubbly will have is to simply compare the corks. If the cork has a string attached to it, you’ll have light fizz (frizzante) and if you notice a wire – traditional for Champagne – then you’ll have heavy fizz (spumante).

And in general as far as taste, Champagne is rich and complex, while cava and prosecco are lighter and slightly fruitier.   And the absolute best way to determine what you like is to just taste and that’s easy to do this week, as many of our local wine shops are hosting tastings.  Here are two you won’t want to miss:

Sat, Dec 27th  –  Arrow Wine Tasting –  11am – 5pm
11am – 5pm – either store, casual drop in tasting, nominal cost per taste

Sun, Dec 29th – Dorothy Lane Market 4-6pm

For more wine events, be sure and check our MostMetro.com wine calendar.

 

Is 2015 The Year You Get Involved With Your City?

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NLICover2014Applications are now being accepted for the 33rd annual Neighborhood Leadership Institute, sponsored by the City of Dayton. The Neighborhood Leadership Institute is an annual  free 12-week program designed to educate Dayton residents about local government, City resources and community leadership.  Workshops are held at various locations and presentations cover topics such as Dayton’s history; the role of City government, the criminal justice system and cultural diversity; skill-building components such as public speaking and small-group dynamics; and a bus tour of Dayton neighborhoods. Class members also complete field assignments to expand their knowledge of Dayton, City government and the community at large.

 

See the tentative schedule and application for the 2015 Neighborhood Leadership Institute. (The application deadline for the 2015 program is February 6.)

The 2015 program is scheduled to kick-off on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Class members also complete field assignments and a practicum requiring development of a grassroots project within their community.
Anyone interested in participating must complete and submit an application no later than Friday, February 6, 2015. Applications are available at daytonohio.gov or at City Hall, 101 W. Third St. (Department of Planning and Community Development, sixth Floor, or the City Commission Office, second floor).For further information contact Verletta Jackson at 333-3288 or [email protected].

Spice Up Your Eggnog

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Just a few ingredients — egg yolks, sugar, milk, cream, and nutmeg — create the wonderfully distinctive flavor of that favorite holiday drink, eggnog. These eggnog recipes can be spiked to your liking with rum, bourbon, or brandy, or enjoyed in nonalcoholic form by guests of all ages. We’ve got some suggestions to put a twist on your holiday eggnog:

Walnut Eggnog
Courtesy of Jason Stevens, Bar Congress in Austin, TX
serves 6 to 8

“Eggnog is ultimate Christmas comfort food,” Stevens says. “I wanted to take the classic recipe for eggnog and showcase some of my favorite fall and winter flavors, without getting too far away from the original. Real maple syrup and walnut, along with a bump of spices, add more flavor to the traditional recipe.”

6 eggs separatedurl-6
8 oz. real maple syrup
1 qt. whole milk
1 pint heavy cream
5 oz. premium 80-proof bourbon
5 oz. premium dark rum (Coruba Dark suggested)
5 oz. walnut liqueur
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Nutmeg for grating
Cinnamon for grating
Allspice for grating
Roasted pecans for grating (optional)

In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until they turn light in color, adding in 4 ounces of maple syrup as you beat. Stir in remaining maple syrup, milk, cream, bourbon, rum, and walnut liqueur. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

Just before serving, place the egg whites into a large bowl and beat until soft peaks form. While beating, slowly add the brown sugar and continue beating till hard peaks form. Whisk the whipped whites into the liquor mixture. Gently grate nutmeg, cinnamon, roasted pecans, and allspice on top to taste before serving.

Feliz NaviNog
Courtesy of Pam Wiznitzer at Dead Rabbit in New York City
serves 1

“I think sometimes, in the dead of winter it’s nice to mix in a few flavors from the southern hemisphere to warm things up,” says Wiznitzer. “Pisco adds a fun, bright level to the flavor. And almond milk cuts the calories drastically.”

url-52 oz. Peruvian Pisco
2 ½ oz. almond milk
3 to 4 drops vanilla extract
¾ oz. rich brown sugar syrup (recipe below)
1 tsp. vanilla pudding
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves

Combine ingredients into a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a brandy glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Brown Sugar Syrup
1 cup of dark brown sugar combined with 2/3 cup hot water. Stir to fully dissolve, allow to cool and store in the fridge.

 

Classic Eggnog
Courtesy of Jeffrey Morgenthaler at Clyde Common in Portland, OR
serves 16

“I can’t stand the thick, gelatinous goop they sell at the grocery store,” Morgenthaler says. “Even if you were to cut it with alcohol, it’s still so overly-pasteurized and full of preservatives that it would be anything but enjoyable to slug down at a Christmas party.” As an alternative, he created a simpler version—one you can easily use as a base when experimenting on your own.Holiday Eggnog

2 large eggs
3 oz. (by volume) granulated sugar
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
2 oz. brandy
2 oz. spiced rum (Sailor Jerry’s suggested)
6 oz. whole milk
4 oz. heavy cream

Beat eggs in blender for one minute on medium speed. Slowly add sugar and blend for one additional minute. With blender still running, add nutmeg, brandy, rum, milk and cream until combined. Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine and serve in chilled wine glasses or champagne coupes, grating additional nutmeg on top immediately before serving.

 

 

Eggnog Latteimgres-9

  • ½ cup strong coffee or two shots of espresso
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup eggnog
  • nutmeg
  • whipped cream
  • sugar

Directions

  1. Use your espresso maker to brew two shots of espresso. Or brew some very strong coffee.
  2. Heat the eggnog until warm (do not boil.)
  3. Combine with milk.
  4. Pour espresso or coffee into a large mug and sweeten with the sugar to your liking.
  5. Pour the warm eggnog mixture on top of the coffee.
  6. Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.

 

 

Coquito

Austin American-Statesman web producer Melissa Martinez, daughter of Puerto Rican parents, shares their holiday tradition- is coquito.

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1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk

2 large egg yolks

1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup rum

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinanamon stick, for garnish

 

Whisk evaporated milk and egg yolks in a bowl.

Strain into a small pot and simmer over medium heat until thickened. Mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool.

Pour half of egg yolk mixture into a blender and blend. Add the rest of the mixture and the coconut milk, condensed milk, rum and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon to the blender and blend at a high speed until frothy. Pour into a glass bottle or pitcher and refrigerate overnight.

Serve in small glasses, sprinkled on top with cinnamon and served with a cinnamon stick.

ArriveSafe Program – Free Rides For The Holidays

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arrivesafeMontgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr. is pleased to announce that with support from Heidelberg Distributing and AAA Miami Valley, ArriveSafe will be offering free cab rides home for Montgomery County residents over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Since Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr. started the program in December 2007, ArriveSafe has provided nearly 4,200 free cabs rides for Montgomery County residents. Removing just one impaired driver from the streets may safe a life – maybe even your own!
In 2013, the Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested 648 drivers for OVI between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. In Montgomery County this year, there have been 36 fatal traffic crashes, including 17 that were alcohol related. Every one of those crashes was avoidable – if only the driver had not made the CHOICE to drive while impaired. ArriveSafe will be offering free cab rides home for Montgomery County residents from 12pm Wednesday, December 24th and ending at 6am on Friday, December 26thand again from 12pm Wednesday, December 31st and ending at 6am on Friday, January 2nd, 2015.

 

Prosecutor Heck said, “This holiday season, there simply is no excuse for drinking and driving. You decide: do you want to go home in the back of a cab, or handcuffed in the back of a cruiser? Plan ahead and get home safely.” It’s simple to make a responsible choice – have a designated, sober driver or call  ArriveSafe at 449-9999 and request a free ride home. We will pay the cab fare up to $50.

“The Twin Towers Climb”; or “How To Hang A Star In the Dayton Sky.”

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piv6St. Mary’s Star ( 2.0 )

This time last year, I wrote a piece about the holiday star that has been a part of the East Dayton skyline for nearly 60 years.

A Star In The East – A Dayton Tradition.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church is located on Xenia Avenue, in the neighborhood named after the churches “Twin Towers”.
Each year, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, parish members go through the laborious task of suspending this holiday landmark between the two towers of the church. The tradition has been passed down through at least 3 generations of parish families.

 

There are no cranes or cherry pickers or specialized pieces of equipment used in this job. What may seem like an old fashioned way of doing things, it’s clear that this is more about the love and community of the St. Mary’s church family than a task. The process is treacherous and tedious but they have it down to a science. At the beginning of November, they start checking the star components and the equipment used in the job. Lights, wires and tools are checked and the staging process is finalized 2 weeks before. The morning of the job starts at 8:30 with a meeting in the basement for instructions, gearing up with tools, gloves and walkie-talkies. Of course, doughnuts and coffee are an important part of the process. The pieces are then assembled on tables on the sidewalk in front of the church and within 90 minutes, the ascent begins. Teams are divided by West Tower, East Tower, roof and ground. The ground team prepares the star and the guide wires to hold it in place as the teams in the towers are instructed via walkie-talkie to begin cranking the attached cables, in unison, raising the star evenly between the two. A team on the ground hold on to tails of rope on the bottom points of the star to keep it from swinging and hitting the church as it’s raised.

 
The men in the parish that created this production still participate with their sons and grandsons. One such patriarch of the St. Mary’s Parish is Mr. Vic Woeste. At 89 years old, he is still there, marveling at the sight of the ongoing tradition. His son, Jerry Woeste, joined the team when he was 16 and now serves as the project coordinator. Vic’s grandson, who just returned from a tour of duty, is part of the tower team. This is where it gets really interesting. The “tower team” is not for the faint of heart. The 150 year old building is a challenge to maneuver. Beyond nerves of steel, a tower team member must be more narrow than the numerous steep passages that lead to the domes of the towers. Once arriving in the dome of the tower, stamina is a must in order to crank the cables on the mounted hoists in the tiny space. The dome area of the towers is big enough for two people and the logistics of moving equipment while not falling through the hatch can be tricky.

 
Climbing the towers also provides the opportunity for “Pigeon Duty,” a task that requires a somewhat strong stomach and a few large trash bags. November temperatures can be uncomfortable and the dust is hard on the eyes, nose and mouth.

 

Having sketched this out, you can tell this tradition is a true labor of love that has stood the test of time.
For an insider view, we sent professional climber and owner of “Urban Krag,” Karl Williamson, to join the tower team. Photographer Jay Woessner equipped Karl with a GoPro helmet cam to capture the adventure. Leading Karl on the tower team is a third generation parish member of the Woeste family. In the embedded video, we show you an abbreviated 10 minute version of the nearly 2 hour effort in the towers. Prepare for sweaty palms and an elevated heart rate.

For some additional breathtaking views, we invited photographer Andy Snow to take some aerial footage with his DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus. Due to the cold and the electrical interference of the RTA trolly lines, the GPS required to navigate the device proved to be a challenge. We have two short test flight videos that where just too cool to stay on a disc drive. You can see that footage on YouTube by following the links at the end of this story.

 

St. Mary’s Church is located at 310 Allen St, Dayton, OH 45410

(937) 256-5633

Equally impressive is the massive nativity scene inside the church. This set takes months to build, (an approx. 120 man hours in a concentrated few weeks), and has been part of the St. Mary’s church tradition for generations. The annual nativity open house is held Dec. 26 & 27 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Sunday Dec. 28 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

For more information about the nativity and St. Mary’s Church, visit www.stmarysdayton.org

The video of the tower climb was a team effort.
Thank you to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church families, Karl Williamson of Urban Krag for making the climb; Jay Woessner for providing the GoPro camera, controlling it from the ground and managing the massive files created by that footage; Steve Ross, Executive Director of DATV for supporting me with some much disc space for editing; and Andy Snow for joining me in this vague experiment with much enthusiasm and an unmanned device that takes us where the birds live.
Thank you most of all to everyone at the church for blessing our city with this beautiful gift for generations.

Aerial test flight shots from Andy Snow, follow YouTube links below:

 

 

 

New Partnership Effort to Advance Wright-Dunbar Area

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WD_Business_Dist_mainThe City of Dayton, CityWide Development Corporation and Wright-Dunbar Incorporated have announced the formation of the region’s newest asset-based community collaboration to advance and improve the historic Wright-Dunbar area of west Dayton.

Through support from the City of Dayton’s West Dayton Development Fund, Wright-Dunbar, Inc., and CityWide, professional community development services will be provided to the Wright-Dunbar Board of Trustees to advance community and economic development in the near-downtown west Dayton district.

Efforts to redevelop and restore the greater Wright-Dunbar area began in earnest in 1990s, to prepare for the Centennial of Flight celebration in 2003. The initial work began through community leaders and Dayton Aviation Trail and focused on saving remaining buildings and sites linked to the historic achievements of the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar. This effort leveraged broad community support for the community’s restoration and more than $145 million in investment to date.

Wright-Dunbar, Inc., a non-profit community development corporation formed in 1999, continued this work through the restoration of the historic Third Street business corridor, returning many of the iconic buildings to their original grandeur. For the last decade, Wright-Dunbar, Inc., has worked diligently to improve conditions in the district, promoting its unique heritage and attracting business investment. The transformation of the greater Wright-Dunbar community has seen the rehabilitation and construction of new housing, new educational facilities, improved infrastructure, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park site and a business district that now boasts a pharmacy, two banks, art studios and a host of professional services.

The new collaboration recognizes the need to apply the best 21st century community development practices of building and strengthening partnerships to maximize leveraged investment and create economic and community sustainability. CityWide has over 40 years’ experience in community and economic development, and for the last 15 years has delivered comprehensive community development programs in the Dayton area.

The initial work plan, created by the Wright-Dunbar Board of Trustees and to be carried out by CityWide, focuses on five key areas:wd flags

  • Management of real estate holdings.
  • Creating redevelopment plans for key properties including working with developers and structuring financing to complete building renovations.
  • Working with a Realtor to market certain Wright-Dunbar holdings to development partners who have clear business plans and the ability to secure financing.
  • Building stronger relationships with the residential community surrounding the business district.
  • Building strategic partnerships to bring more investment and interest to the community.

“CityWide believes in the potential of west Dayton and is proud to be part of this new collaborative,” said Steve Budd, President of CityWide.

The formalizing of this partnership follows in the footsteps of local collaborative efforts such as the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, the Genesis Project, the Phoenix Project, the DaVinci Collaborative and the Dayton Public Schools Neighborhood School Centers Initiative, all of which have demonstrated the power of strategic partnership to leverage investment. The City of Dayton has tracked more than $3.6B in major investments in Dayton since 2001. Much of that investment has been asset- and collaboration-based.

“Over the last 20 years, the City’s asset-based investment and development strategy has been key to its ability to leverage and sustain economic and community development in Dayton” said Shelley Dickstein, Assistant City Manager.

“The City of Dayton has been a key partner in the revitalization of the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood and business district and we are grateful for their continued support. The Wright-Dunbar Board is pleased to have the opportunity to work with CityWide’s community development team who have a proven track record in community revitalization” said Harry Seifert, President and Chairman of Wright-Dunbar, Inc.

CityWide will report monthly to the Wright-Dunbar Board and submit written reports on progress to the City of Dayton quarterly. The initiative is designed to continue for three years. The value of staff support provided by the initiative’s three partners is estimated to be $92,000 annually.

Santa’s Last Night At Woodland Lights

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10419407_624808760961669_3623223231528309982_nTake a  carriage rides,  see live deer, enjoy children’s rides, costumed characters, games and extra activites such as face painting. Kids can play on a fun slide and enjoy seven amusement rides including a small train, Santa swing, twister and pony carts.

Visitors to Woodland Lights, which is open through Dec 30th,  can enjoy the beauty of lights sparkling along a half-mile wooded path and reflecting against a woodland pond. Along the trail, whimsical characters and illuminated critters prepare for the holidays, while a real-life Santa Claus visits with children inside an historic log cabin decorated for the holidays.

“Woodland Lights is a place that’s magical and enchanting. Every year, we do our best to stay true to that vision,” says Linda Madden, Woodland Lights coordinator. “The front area feels more like a festival with lighting and animation. The mood at the back is quieter, more pristine, and emphasizes the park’s natural beauty.”

Last night to visit with Santa- Dec 23rd

It’s easy to find Santa at Woodland Lights. Just walk down a sparkling path to an historic log cabin decorated in lights and 1554566_624810877628124_7536241234432922540_nfestooned with greenery. Everything about the historic log home is authentic — from the large beams overhead to the old limestone fireplace. A fire burns each night in a large hearth near Sant’s chair, greenery is draped across the mantle and beams, and a holiday tree sits in the corner.

Santa welcomes children to his cozy cabin every night through Dec. 23. The historic Woodland Lights cabin offers an inviting alternative to more commercialized visits with Santa. Parents are invited to take their own pictures, or photos may be purchased for $5.  After Christmas, Santa returns to the North Pole but his cabin stays open for visitors to stop and warm themselves by the fire.

December 5 – December 30, 2014        6 – 9 pm Nightly
Closed Dec. 24 & 25

COST:  $7     Free for kids 2 & under

Favorite stopping points include nine holiday window displays, interactive lights, the 14th annual collection of home-made gingerbread houses, and a lookout point at a scenic pond that offers a panoramic view of lights and displays reflection off the water. Bonfires, hot chocolate and other refreshments are offered nightly.

10423640_624489684326910_532173914489766941_n

How to Find Woodland Lights:

895 Miamisburg Centerville Road; Dayton, OH 45459

Directions from North or South I-75

I-75, to I-675 North (Exit #43), Right turn onto OH-725 (Exit #2) 1 mile to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Left side of the road)

Directions from Northbound OH-48 (If south of Centerville)

OH-48 North, left onto OH-725, 1.5 miles to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Right side of road)

Directions from Southbound OH-48 (If north of Centerville)

OH-48 South, right onto OH-725, 1.5 miles to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Right side of road)

Best Picture Nominee THE IMITATION GAME Opens Thursday at THE NEON! WILD a Big Success!

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The-Imitation-Game-Final-Poster-1Hello Everyone,

WILD was a big success over the weekend.  Many thanks to all of you who came down to support it at THE NEON.  It will be sticking around through the end of the year.

We’re pretty excited for what we hope will be our next big film – THE IMITATION GAME – opening this Thursday. This film about Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma Codes during WWII has been nominated for 5 Golden Globe Awards including “Best Picture.” (In addition to already winning the “Audience Choice Award” in Toronto, it has also garnered lots of recognition from critics this season.) Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley are sensational, and the screenplay is terrific. In addition, the story has an interesting connection to Dayton. Though there’s only a fleeting reference to NCR in the film, Dayton’s connection to Alan Turing (he actually visited Dayton in the early 40’s) and cracking codes during the war was pretty significant. (To find out more about this compelling connection, tune into WDTN for the news this evening (Monday, Dec. 22). Mark Allan will have a story about Dayton’s important role in helping to end WWII.)

If you still need to see THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING or THE HOMESMAN, Wednesday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. Remaining showtimes for this current week can be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for THE IMITATION GAME: “THE IMITATION GAME portrays the race against time by Alan Turing and his team of code-breakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the Second World War. The group of scholars, mathematicians, linguists, chess champions and intelligence officers had a powerful ally in Prime Minister Winston Churchill who authorized the provision of any resource they required. The film spans the key periods of Turing’s life: his unhappy teenage years at boarding school; the triumph of his secret wartime work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical bombe that was capable of breaking 3,000 Enigma-generated naval codes a day; and the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for gross indecency, a criminal offense stemming from his admission of maintaining a homosexual relationship.” (Lucy Powell, Optimum Releasing) This film will almost certainly be nominated for “Best Picture” at this year’s Academy Awards. Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5CjKEFb-sM

KRW Cycles is hoping to bring another motorcycle-inspired film to town. “ON ANY SUNDAY: THE NEXT CHAPTER is an exploration into the pursuit of excitement, passion and life in the two-wheeled world of motorcycle riding. Experiences that are as relatable to a rider as a day with friends, others that explore human triumph and overcoming fear, and some which occur once in a lifetime. One moment of riding a motorcycle – On Any Sunday.Critically acclaimed director Dana Brown (“Step Into Liquid” and “Dust to Glory”) teams up with his father, Academy Award Nominee Bruce Brown (“The Endless Summer” and “On Any Sunday”) to journey deeper into the humanity, thrills and excitement of the global culture of motorcycle riding; those who are bonded by their passion for the race, the love of family and friendship, and on a deeper level – their quest for the thrill of the next ride.” This is a tugg event. The movie is scheduled to screen on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30. If not enough reservations are made by Jan. 2, the event will be cancelled. Visit this LINK to reserve your ticket.

Don’t forget that we sell gift certificates in $5 and $10 denominations at our box office. They make perfect holiday gifts for the film lovers in your life…or for people who have never experienced THE NEON. Diana also ordered some delicious 2-pack biscotti from Tastes of Nostalgia – they’d make a perfectly sweet pairing to our certificates.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Thursday, Dec. 25 – Thursday, Jan.1:

THE IMITATION GAME (PG-13) 1 Hr 54 Min
Thursday (Dec. 25): 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Friday & Saturday (Dec. 26 & 27): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday (Dec. 28): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday (Dec. 29-Jan. 1): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

WILD (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Thursday (Dec. 25): 2:45, 5:15, 7:45
Friday, Saturday (Dec. 26 & 27): 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday (Dec. 28): 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15
Monday – Thursday (Dec. 29-Jan. 1): 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Jan. 9 or 16 – FOXCATCHER
TBD – FORCE MAJEURE
TBD – MR. TURNER
TBD – STILL ALICE
TBD – OSCAR SHORTS
TBD – TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT
TBD – LEVIATHAN
TBD – WILD TALES
TBD – THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

REVIEW: Operation: Giving Back Christmas Gets Pink Velvet Krushed

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PInk Velvet Krush (photo by Mike Ritchie)

On Saturday December 13th The Old Crow Bar in Middletown hosted a special benefit for two families of the Heavy Metal Church of Christ in need over the holiday season. All bands, contributors and supporters volunteered their time and talents (many driving a distance) to help out making sure the families had necessities and the combined seven children, infant to mid-teen, had goodies and toys from Santa under the tree. The Skull Dollz also made an appearance for photo ops and other assorted good natured skullduggery.  A donation bin was also previously set up to collect items all of which along with show proceeds will be given to the family on the 23rd.

The owners and staff of the Old Crow were generous with the event, assisting organizer Teri Spence with the offered buffet and setup. Spence also expressed sincere gratitude to Steven Van Skoyck and Tiffany Zulock Van Skoyck, Jessica Tinch, Allen Phyllis, Ann Mason, Ericka McGowan and Michael Anspach along with Rachel Smith, Chrystal Kay, Angie Johnson Castle and Samantha Noble Baumgartner from the Dollz for their hard work and assistance. Tim Guilfoyle from Queen City Drums and Wildman Walker were also in attendance to help support.

Raffled items included numerous gift cards from PF Chang’s, First Watch Restaurant, Frickers, Godfathers Pizza, Chipotle, Rose Retro Rock Shop, assorted metal CD’s, jewelry custom made by Spence and stem wear from BJ’s Brewhouse. The two most popular items of the night were autographed memorabilia/merch personally donated from Straight Line Stitch and Jerry Only of The Misfits.

Cody Ridenour opened with a one man acoustic jam, sharing the spotlight with his lovely wife Chelsea a few songs in. Almost all originals from the Germantown by way of St. Petersburg Florida solo guitarist. Starting with original “Today We Pray” followed by “How Long”, he played and sang with passion pulling unexpected power out of the ‘unplugged’ strings. Thinking ahead he one-upped the crowd and played some Skynyrd with the “Simple Man”. He finished with the impassioned “Cyanide” (You’ve Wrecked Me) ending with a co-written duet with his wife on “Broken Hearted.”

Casey and the Nobodies were next, as the one man jam trend continued. Known for acoustic blues, rock and classic country Casey took over the stage starting with original “Knock on My Door” followed by Alice’s sweet song of war and the “Rooster”. Another of Casey’s originals said “Gotta Get Out” and Chris Isaak said it was a “Wicked Game” to play, to make the video feel that way. The king of pop comes clean about “Billie Jean” sort of, she’s just a girl, alas we’ll never know if he’s the father. The Black Crows still talk to angels and Neil Young is ageless and timeless rocking his crazy horse in the free world.

All the Children made the 3 ½ hour drive from Morehead, KY to help the cause. Playing a set of original alternative rock with a few covers they jammed out “Free Slave”. Alex Clare got a shout out on “Too Close” then made a statement with “We Are One”, the first tune played off their demo. There’s a “Man Overboard” as water engulfs the lungs played with early Nirvana attitude, before the baby went swimming. EP opener “Battle Cry” was next followed by the catchy bounce of “Prepare for War”. Alternative Aussies Silver Chair got some rare love on the lesser known “Pure Massacre” off Frogstomp. They finished with the honkey-tonked electric sound of “Airlock” with a touch of a space odyssey.

Rocky Candy (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Rocky Candy (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Cincinnati’s Shadow of Shepherd is a three brother alternative rock trio. Opening with a one-two “alt” punch they decided to “Send the Pain Below” with Chevelle and Wonder What’s Next opener “Family System”. They switched genre’s slightly with “Somewhere in the Sky” by Kutless. They played original “Fight” then switched feet with Switchfoot on “Meant to Live”. They let their light “Shine” down with some Collective Soul finishing with original “I am Alive”.

All right ladies pay attention and guys, listen up. Rock Candy was here and they took all the good little boys to school. The all- female trio from Cincinnati kicked out some sweet tunes starting right up your alley with one of the classiest lady rebels of early 80’s rock and 2015 RNR Hall of Fame Inductee Miss Joan Jett. Yeah, we’ve all been there cause I “Hate Myself for Loving You”. They pulled out a youthful Sammy Hagar and some of his “Rock Candy”, not in a three lock box. They went old 80’s LA back to the Hollywood Sunset with a young, hungry Crue that’s “Too Fast for Love.” He toured with them in ’83 but for tonight Ozzy’s riding solo on the “Crazy Train”. They got humble playing the “Fool for a Pretty Face”, we’ve all been hurt by love. They finished with an all-girl original “Calling all Girls”.

Coming from Milford Ohio, Dear Agony “smoked” the stage playing a set of originals and covers. Only being together as a band for a couple months they played with experience from their previous stint as Arcadia Backfire. They were kinda like “Whatever” with Godsmack, shared their “Epiphany” with Staind and staged an electric sit down “to get to know everyone’ like “Nothing Else Matters” according to Hetfield. Two of the five originals played included the smooth rocking “Face the Day” and the more emotionally charged “Survive”.

Clockwork Soul (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Clockwork Soul (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Dayton’s new and improved for the next generation ClockWork Soul was next with the killer eyes and growl of Mystie Rose. One could and probably would think to see them all on stage that they’re a bit “Out There”. Rose speaks the voice of experience about bad relationships. Make sure the person shares the same feelings you do or you’re living in a “Masquerade”. They play with the BulletBoys and declare, they’ll come back to you “When Pigs Fly”.

Pink Velvet Krush is a modern day throwback to the decadent 80’s glam and sleaze under the blazing LA sunset. Reminiscent of Faster Pussycat and LA Guns, with former members of Bullet Boys, Pretty Boy Floyd, Britney Fox, Steelheart, Dust N’ Bones and Vaudeville, it’s a mass super-group of hair-sprayed experience still swimming in the Aqua Net.  They can talk about the Head Bangers Ball days cause they lived it, bringing an 80’s arena show style and delivery to the club stage in the vein of Motley Crue with guitar mannerisms of Tipton and Downing.

Doug Savage keeps the frontman flame alive with everything we fondly remember from the days of decadence with a finger point or raised fist. The Krush started with “Nothin’ to Lose”. Metallica said “Misery Loves Company” on the black album but PVK’s saying it now. They slowed it down a little bringing the symbolic lighters up feeding their lonesome, twisted “Obsession”.  The dirty blues blasted rocker “F.S.O.A” (Fifty Shades of Anything) chugged along, accompanied by the more serious, life on the road retro feel of “You Take My Life”. Ladies, Savage and the boys wanna make you “Scream”!

That good ole’ damn “Ball and Chain” came out swinging, kicking out the blues and they got two bullets, “One Shot” left to shoot to thrill. They ended the originals with EP title track “Break These Chains”, then asked if anybody was in the mood for some classic ‘hair’ metal.

They decided to break all the rules at the Girlschool with Britney Fox, then got Smooth Up in Ya with the BulletBoys because there were no Congo drums for St. Christopher. They finished with that lovely lady who just can’t go living after midnight as she cries “Somebody Save Me”.