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Archives for April 2015

Rum River Blend Brings Bluegrass To Troy

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500_RRB_JumpingRum River Blend, based in Troy, Ohio bill themselves as ‘Unprofessional Entertainment’!  The band takes its name from the Rum River that flows through Linda’s hometown of Milaca, Minnesota. They perform a blend of traditional bluegrass, folk, Gospel and children’s songs. The audience is encouraged to join in on the fun as kazoos, spoons, washboards, and various other noise making instruments are often passed out to the crowd.

Linda Tatarian, the ‘leader of the band’ plays 5-string banjo and sings like a good Minnesotan should.   Chris Tatarian plays rhythm guitar and sings back-up vocals in a California style that only he knows.  Chris and Linda are the “roots” of Rum River Blend and have played together since 1992.  After moving to Ohio in 2000, they have played with a variety of talented musicians.  The bass beat for the band is provided by Mr. ‘Smiling’  Bill Benning, playing acoustic/electric bass guitar.  Bill plays with a flair developed over time  playing a wide variety of musical types with many different bands.  Mr. Carl Phillis joins us on fiddle.  Carl has years of professional musical experience, having played with most bands and orchestras in the area at one time or another.  He is the 1948 Ohio State Fiddle Champion, and is a past professor of Bluegrass Fiddle Music at Sinclair College in Dayton.  His fiddle playing brings a new level of energy and a host of new songs to the band.   Carl will be celebrating his 91st birthday in July, 2013!  On special occasions, RRB is joined by Mark Acton (the former Mayor of Potsdam) with harmonious vocals and Mandolin.  Put ’em all together and the result is music that makes you want to tap your foot and sing along!

Bike Anywhere!

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6z87jdwbnuzz70torx4oapb18nt6lp2gCome learn how to build biking into your every day! Commuting isn’t about just riding to and from work. It’s about everything in between.

Utilizing your bike for short errands like running to the post, grabbing a coffee or even a small grocery store run can save you big cash and increase your quality of life.

Not sure how to get started, where to go or what to do? Then join us at the 2nd Street Boston Stoker on April 25th.

Soup Dinner Fundraiser for Stivers School For The Arts

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soupEach guest may choose a handmade ceramic bowl and fill it with soup, bread and dessert generously donated from local restaurants

Enjoy dinner, watch wheel-throwing demonstrations, take a studio tour and see our students’ award winning work from this year in the Fifth Street Gallery.

Your $10.00 donation ensures the continued excellence of our ceramics program.

‘Sondheim on Sondheim’ Review – Wright State University – Let Him Entertain You

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Art isn’t easy but it can certainly be glorious. Case in point: Wright State University’s excellent regional premiere of the 2010 musical revue “Sondheim on Sondheim,” a fascinating, revelatory tribute to Grammy, Oscar, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Stephen Joshua Sondheim, who celebrated his 85th birthday last month.

sondheim on sondheim

The cast of Wright State University’s regional premiere of the musical revue “Sondheim on Sondheim,” a celebration of the life and career of composer Stephen Sondheim. (Contributed photo)

Conceived by James Lapine, who shared the Pulitzer with Sondheim as librettist of “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Sondheim on Sondheim” is a marvelous, multimedia rarity in the revue mold. Unlike most revues confined by a song to song format and a thin story structure, this project is astutely constructed around Sondheim’s vivid, humorous and heartbreaking descriptions of his life and career executed within the archival framework of over 100 video segments. Lapine’s documentary-driven decision to allow Sondheim to be as open and vulnerable as possible about himself in addition to the rigors and joys of the collaborative creative process gives the audience an opportunity to connect with the seemingly reserved composer on a deeper, engaging level, particularly as he reflects on his rocky relationship with his cynical, melancholic mother and how he came to terms with his sexuality.

Propelled to prominence in the 1950s by writing lyrics to “West Side Story” and “Gypsy” yet perhaps best known for composing “Send in the Clowns,” Sondheim, a proudly neurotic only child, primarily embraced musical theater due to the encouragement of his mentor and neighbor Oscar Hammerstein II. His legacy as a Broadway composer began with a hilarious bang (“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”), but he ultimately transformed musical theater with exceeding bite and maturity in the 1970s creating such sophisticated, dark, intelligent, and thought-provoking shows as “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” and “Sweeney Todd.” Curiously, this revue doesn’t incorporate any songs from his stellar “Pacific Overtures,” delightful “Dick Tracy” or quirky “Frogs,” but ample room is given to cult favorites such as “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Assassins” and “Passion” as well as a handful of terrific cut songs specifically from “Company.” As an added bonus, it’s refreshing to know Sondheim doesn’t mind poking fun at his genius as evidenced in the original tune “God.”

sondheim

Photo by Geek With a Lens Photography

Envisioning the show with an informal, cozy living room approach inside the intimate black box Herbst Theatre, director Jamie Cordes, at his finest when showcasing songs from “Assassins,” “Company” and “Merrily We Roll Along,” assembles an energetic, vocally dynamic cast skillfully interpreting over 40 character-conscious numbers. The spectacular Cassi Mikat, showcasing exquisite lyric aptitude in one of the best performances of the season, takes charge with sublime renditions of “Take Me to the World” (a gem from the little known “Evening Primrose”), “Not a Day Goes By” and “In Buddy’s Eyes.” Just as mesmerizing and vital here as Barbara Cook in the Broadway production, Mikat is such a pro that her truly breathtaking embodiments of “Passion” numbers “I Read” (one of the most challenging arias in the Sondheim canon) and “Loving You” as well as “Send in the Clowns,” the fitting climax of the revue, are enough to tell me she’s immediately ready to offer her own Sondheim showcase at New York’s 54 Below or Joe’s Pub. Katie Momenee, a beguiling mix of delicacy and fieriness, offers a lovely “Good Thing Going” and exuberant deliveries of “The Wedding Is Off” (which became “Getting Married Today”) and “Ah, But Underneath.” Soprano Abby Murray Vachon nicely accents the comedy fueling “The Wedding Is Off” and winningly inhabits the breeziness of “Do I Hear a Waltz?” Kelsey Pohl, so natural and grounded, effortlessly drives the truth permeating “Now You Know” and charms throughout the terrific “Opening Doors,” which Sondheim regards as his most autobiographical song. Strong tenor Nathan Pecchia commands attention while relishing the malevolent rage of “Epiphany” and the eerie moodiness of “The Gun Song.” The very personable Ian Benjamin gives firm, heartfelt versions of “Is This What You Call Love?” and “Being Alive.” Logan Torbet vibrantly tackles “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” The solid, expressive Keaton Eckhoff winningly joins Pohl and Torbet for “Opening Doors,” one of the show’s best sequences along with “Waiting for the Girls Upstairs” and “Something Just Broke.” Ensemble members/understudies Zachary Fretag, Natalie Girard, Caitlin Geisser, and Jim Miller pleasantly support the principal cast albeit in a lesser capacity.

 
Additionally, music director/pianist Sean Michael Flowers leads a small yet superb band including guitarist Mark Beyer and cellist Emsie Hapner. Scenic designer Pam Knauert Lavarnway straightforwardly fills the space with chairs, rugs and a couch but adds two staircases for greater dimension. Costumer Emily Sollinger provides attractive formal wear for the ladies in Act 2. Jessica Drayton’s lighting design and James Dunlap’s sound design are equally fine.

Without a doubt “Sondheim on Sondheim” is an absolute must-see for Sondheim fans, but even if you prefer the company of other composers you will find something appealing in his journey. By and large, getting to know the greatest living composer of American musical theater is an immense treat in WSU’s impressive hands. I’m glad Sondheim is still here fully prepared to give us more to see.

 

“Sondheim on Sondheim” continues through April 26 in the downstairs, black box Herbst Theatre of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 65 minutes; Act Two: 65 minutes. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. All shows have general admission seating. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500 or visit www.wright.edu/tdmp.

EX MACHINA Opens Friday & Jewish Film Fest Starts This Weekend at THE NEON!

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ex-machina-poster-v01Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see WOMAN IN GOLD, a film that many of our regulars are absolutely loving, you only have until Thursday to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a new sci-fi film about artificial intelligence – one that seems all the more scary after having heard a story about a similar subject on NPR. EX MACHINA has been garnering rave reviews, and it certainly looks sophisticated and thought provoking…it also holds the record for the biggest opening of 2015 in larger markets. We have our fingers crossed that Dayton audiences are interested! TRUE STORY will stick around for another week, and WHILE WE’RE YOUNG will open on May 1. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for EX MACHINA: “Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller, EX MACHINA. Caleb Smith, a programmer at an internet-search giant, wins a competition to spend a week at the private mountain estate of the company’s brilliant and reclusive CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Upon his arrival, Caleb learns that Nathan has chosen him to be the human component in a Turing Test-charging him with evaluating the capabilities, and ultimately the consciousness, of Nathan’s latest experiment in artificial intelligence. That experiment is Ava, a breathtaking A.I. whose emotional intelligence proves more sophisticated – and more deceptive – than the two men could have imagined.” (A24) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

THE DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has grown considerably over the years, and the line-up is always terrific. Screenings at THE NEON begin this Sunday:
Sun, April 26 at 3:10 – 70 HESTER STREET & THE STURGEON QUEENS.
Sun, April 26 at 5:00 – ZAYTOUN.
Tue, April 28 at 10am – THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER.
Tue, April 28 at 7:15 – 24 DAYS.
Wed, May 6 at 7:15 – DANCING IN JAFFA.
Tue, May 12 at 7:15 – FOR A WOMAN.
Thu, May 14 at 7:15 – RUN BOY RUN.
The official website for the festival is now up and running! You can read about all the films, watch trailers and discover all that the festival has to offer. Check it out by visiting this LINK.

Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is brining a special screening of GROWING CITIES to town. “Growing Cities is a film about urban farming in America. At a time when so much negative attention is paid to the food system – from mad cows to factory farms – this film tells the inspiring stories of city-dwellers who are transforming their communities one vacant lot, backyard beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Join the filmmakers on a cross-county road trip, along the way these growers show that the urban farming movement is about a whole lot more than simply food and that everyone can take part in creating a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system.” (taken from press notes) This film will screen on Saturday, May 2 at 3:00. Tickets are free, but reservations must be made by calling or emailing Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

On Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30, we will have a one-time screening of I’M STILL HERE – ELAINE PAIGE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. “The incomparable Elaine Paige brings her sell-out Farewell Concert from the Royal Albert Hall to the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra featuring special guests. Filmed for cinema, the concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Elaine performing the highlights of her extraordinary 50 year career, including “Memory,” “I Know Him so Well” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The evening will finish with special footage including a Q&A and more intimate performance with special guests recently captured in London.” (taken from press notes) General Admission tickets just $12. Senior tickets just $10. Tickets for this event can be purchased on-line via this LINK. They are also available at our box office (without the surcharge).

“Stivers School for the Arts-Film & Animation Studio Presents THE SHOWCASE. This compilation of short films includes live action & animation and ranges from comedy to documentary. Some of these films have already won regional and state awards. Following the show, there will be a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go towards updating equipment in the Stivers Film and Animation studio. The Showcase runs one night only – Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30pm. Tickets are$5.00 in advance and $7.00 on the day of the event.. Tickets will soon be available at THE NEON’s box office and Stivers School for the Arts. Please join us for an evening of entertainment as we celebrate this next generation of filmmakers.” (taken from press release)

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 24 – Thursday, April 30:

EX MACHINA (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:30, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:55, 5:15, 7:40

TRUE STORY (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 12:00, 7:30
Monday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:30
Tuesday: 2:40, 5:10
Wednesday & Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:30

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
(see list above for specific titles)
Sunday: 3:10, 5:00
Tuesday: 10am, 7:15

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 1 – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
TBD- RED ARMY
TBD – MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – ’71
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Culture Connects 20/20: Cultural Plan Rollout

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ig0zd3smootc2ox5c9ytazm0tmmkkqc9Imagine an even more vital and creative Dayton Region, one where everyone can find some creative activity they enjoy, where it’s easy to find out what’s going on anywhere in the Region, where people from all over and from all backgrounds and of all ages come together around their common passions. Where the arts help our young people learn and think creatively, and where cultural assets help sell our Region to talented engineers and executives. This is a sample of what can emerge from Culture Connects 20/20, our Regional Cultural Plan.

For the past year, Culture Works has organized meetings with government and community leaders, staff and board members of cultural organizations, and interested citizens to discuss the future of the arts in the Dayton Region. Join us in this adventure! Come listen to what we’ve learned and what we propose. Add your thoughts and your voice to the effort. The Plan is ready for prime time and the work is just beginning!

Local Food Truck Competing for National Title

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10623029_921601077854602_5492884280537304479_nOne of Dayton’s most popular food trucks has made it to the finals of the National Contest run by Mobile Cuisine.com.  In an online vote to find the hot dog vendor of the year, food trucks and carts from across the country have been nominated for this recognition.

Zombie Dogz, owned by husband and wife team, David & Lee VanArtsdalen,  have cultivated a cult following for their dogs topped with gourmet ingredients in the Dayton area and now needs your vote to capture the National title.  You can vote once a day through 11;50pm  May 1st.  No registration is required to vote and in literally takes 5 seconds.  As of this morning, Zombie Dogz has a commanding lead, but these contests can change leaders many times throughout the week long campaign.  The winning truck or cart will be profiled in  Mobile Cuisine and will hold the title of top mobile hot dog vendor for 2015.

Never had a Zombie Dogz? Here are descriptions of a few of their dogs:  Diced green apple, blue cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce make up the Dead Dixie, Pinepple habanero pulled pork, mandarin orange cherry and pine Apple salsa, topped with sesame seeds are on The Brain Daddy, white truffle mac n cheese, shredded cheddar and cracker crumbles are Calling in Dead.

Horseless Buggy Eatery, another Dayton based food truck, won the title for 2015 Best Burger and was a finalist in the best fish Taco Category this year in a similar online vote.

 

 

Here are the hot dog vendors in competition: 63040_612059602142086_368224167_n

  • Alamo Dogs – San Antonio, TX
  • American Wiener – Tampa, FL
  • Beez Neez Sausage – Portland, OR
  • Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs– Denver, CO
  • Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs – Buffalo, NY
  • Good Dog Hot Dogs – Houston, TX
  • The Greasy Wiener – Los Angeles, CA
  • Love Hot Dog Co. – Harleysville, PA
  • Willy Dog – Hamilton, Ontario
  • Zombie Dogz – Dayton, OH

 

Zombie Dogz hasn’t updated their schedule for this week yet, but to find them and other area food trucks, just click on MostMetro.com’s Food Truck Finder Calendar.

Garlic Lovers Unite!

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GarllicFestLovers of garlic, great local foods and good times will want to mark Sun, July 19th on their calendar! 

The Sons of  Italy and DaytonMostMetro.com are partnering to bring a day full of  family friendly fun featuring  fantastic foods and marvelous music by The Menu’s, Dayton’s favorite party band.  The event will take place on the grounds on Bella Villa Hall at 2625 County Line Road in Kettering from noon until 8:30pm.

Food offerings will be required to contain garlic and expect to see some off the wall items!  And what’s a festival without some contests,  run by The Big Ragu and his Food Adventure crew, like the garlic peeling contest, a garlic eating challenge and more.   You’ll even be able to sit in on some cooking lessons, featuring what else- garlic!  Sunday is also the final day of the Bocce Classic, and after the tournament their will be open lanes for you to try your hand at this classic Italian lawn bowling game.

Vendor sign ups are now in process and a list of participating eateries will be available soon on the GarlicFest event page.  Sign up there for more info.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sons of Italy student scholarship fund.

 

 

Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Arrow Wine Centerville Tonight

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patty-green-club-175pPatricia Green Cellars is located in the Ribbon Ridge Appellation of the Willamette Valley of Oregon on a 52 acre estate purchased in 2000 by Patty Green and Jim Anderson. The winery, and thus the two friends and business partners, are noted for producing a tremendously broad selection of vineyard designated Pinot Noirs from several vineyards representing some of the better sites in the Willamette Valley with a particular emphasis over the years on Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills and the Chehalem Mountain appellations. Patricia Green Cellars focus is to produce Pinot Noirs that show the distinct characteristics of the sites and vintage within the context of the wines. Due to this all of the vineyards the winery either maintains or purchases fruit from are extremely well-tended sites that seek to grow the best fruit possible through rigorous attention to detail on every single vine. Over the years as many as 20 different bottlings of Pinot Noir have been produced in any given vintage. To ensure that these wines are of the highest quality possible, are unique in and of themselves and distinct across the range of wines the decisions we made about the quality of each barrel is quite rigorous ensuring that each bottling represents the best possible wine from each vineyard and vintage.

At a larger level the philosophy of the winery is fairly simple: Do what needs to be done. The two partners of Patricia Green Cellars feel that you simply cannot enter into a vintage with pre-conceived notions of what is going to happen, what the fruit is going to be like, what the wines are going to be like and what is going to need to be done to turn fruit into the best wines possible. There are certain approaches and techniques that will obviously be applied, however the intensity of those actions is fluid. That fluid nature would extend to nearly every aspect of the winemaking. Ultimately things are done as simply as is possible. The 14th century friar William of Ockham stated that “one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.” This is the physics theory known as Occam’s Razor. It applies to winemaking though, too. With over 50 combined years worth of winemaking experience the two partners are quite possibly the longest-partnered winemaking duo in Oregon and they have come to realize that the hardest thing to do is to do the simplest things. However, by paring down, as much as is possible and as much as is sensible, they have found that the wines are better off for it.

Of course to be a truly successful winery one must start with very strong raw materials. That is where the strength of Patricia Green Cellars lives as a winery. Over the years an ever-increasingly strong set of vineyards has made up the core of the winery’s Pinot Noir volume. The crowning jewel initially was landing what is the Estate Vineyard with the purchase of the property back in 2000. After that the near yearly search to bring in extraordinarily high-quality sites, most times with older vines serving as a part of the equation, continues and the winery continues to be able to release unique wines from terrific sites that drive the reputation and finances of the winery. At this juncture Patricia Green Cellars has now assembled what is certainly its strongest collection of well-farmed, high-quality sites with great reputations in its entire existence. The dogged determination to continue to produce the best bottlings of vineyard designated Pinot Noirs, to continually show the willingness and ability to craft critically-acclaimed Pinots from new sites and sell them on a vintage in and vintage out basis has opened the door to this day where a stable of vineyards reflects the winery’s reputation and the winemakers’ skill level.

Arrow Wine Centerville will be sampling the Award Winning Pinot Noirs, from Patricia Green Cellars, Willamette Valley, today (Mon, April 20th) from 5-8pm.  Patricia will be there explaining the nuances of the wines! The tasting is casual, reservations are not required and tastes are nominally priced.

Q &A With Food Network’s Ted Allen – In Dayton To Host AIDS Fundraiser

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choppedThe Food Network host of Chopped, Ted Allen, will return to his home state of  Ohio this weekend to host a 3 city fundraiser for the AIDS Resource Center Ohio.    In a recent phone interview with Mr Allen, he shared that  “Too many peole mistakenly believe that AIDS isn’t anything to talk about anymore.  We have too many young people, who didn’t see the deaths in the 80″s and 90’d and don’t know the disaster we’ve lived through.

It’s great that we have medicines and treatments and preventative options but too many of our youth need to realize that HIV is 100% preventable.  Meds are expensive and have side affects, this isn’t something you just take a pill for and forget.  Almost 1/2 of new infections are 13-24 years old.  African American women are hugely impacted by HIV. ”  He shared that it’s his honor to serve as the Chair of this statewide fundraiser.

Ted Allen first received national attention as on of the hosts of the 2003-2007 Bravo series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. 


We asked Ted to tell us about his times on that show:queer

It was the best times,  filled with humor and raunchy rowdy, guys tooling all over town in that convertible. Thom Filicia is one of the  funniest guys I know and the worst driver ever.  I can’t even believe I’m still alive, he’d be speeding down the road, and telling a story and he’d turn around to look you directly  in the eye and I was wearing this fake seatbelt, it’s a miracle we’re all still here.
What an honor it was to be a part of the first tv show ever to have 5 openly gay men being themselves.  We’d get hundreds of letters from young gay kids talking about how great it was to be able to watch that show with their parents and laugh.  Just getting one such letter would be an honor, but we got so many.  We truly were so lucky…
Is it was a burden to be known as a gay role model?

Oh no it’s such a privilege, if we are making any difference, well just look at how times have changed.  I am legally married in my state.  But we’re not there yet, it’s 2 steps forward and one back – Indiana.    Just last night I hosted a benefit for Baily House ( a  who serve those who are homeless with  HIV+, who and to be able to shine the light on a cause you believe in wholeheartedly, what an honor.  And I got to meet Joel Gray and Jane Pauly, what great fringe benefits.

On Chopped we know you see tons of ingredients in those baskets.  What would you like in your basket if you were a contestant? 

How about just some cheese, eggs, mustard, mayo and lamb chops.  I’s so sick of gummy bears and all the weird stuff.  Think about it- it’s the hardest show there is. It’s set up for failure. Three  of the 4 fail.  Who can cook amazing things in 20 minutes when they start out as bone in 3 pound leg of lamb? It’s just hard.  And the judges want you to succeed, they want to eat good food!  tedcooks

 

I asked him if there were any shows that went bad and couldn’t air:

 We can’t afford not to complete a show, we work for 12 hours to get one episode.  So luckily, knock on wood we haven’t had a disaster that we didn’t overcome..

As for a personal disaster, when I was writing for Chicago Magazine, I was having the Dining Editor Penny Pollack over to my house for brunch.  I had made fresh cinnamon rolls and thought I’d leave them in the oven so they’d be warm and just as the doorbell rings I see a pool of butter and cinnamon pooling down the oven door onto my floor and my smoke alarm goes off.  Welcome Penny….



Ted hosted another Food Network Show The Best Thing I Ever Ate, so of course we asked about those meals:

I’ve had so many, like at Minbar by Jose Andres,  a tiny restaurant with 6 seats and more chefs than seats where they feed you one scrumptious morsel after another…. But I’ve also had a great burger at a neighborhood join in Brooklyn with hand ground beef and a perfectly cooked runny egg on top.

That’s the wonderful thing about food, there are so many great  foods and international cuisines, you could have like 900 lifetimes of best meals …

That show was so much fun, I could be more of myself and have fun and go unscripted…

What’s your favorite pig out food?
Pepperoni Pizza= but only with good real peperoni- it it curls up and gets that puddle of grease on it it’s the good stuff – not that flat stuff that lays there

Or macaroni and cheese with kiolbassa- not so good for yo, but oh yum!

What food trend are you over?J. Ryan Roberts - jryan@jryanroberts.com

 Desserts with bacon- can we move on? Don’t get me wrong- I love bacon, but thick cut bacon is a mistake.  It’s to hard to make crispy and ends up being chewy.  Good bacon should be cooked slowly and served crispy
Food Trucks- it’s confusing.  I don’t want to have to chase you all over town for a meal and I want to enjoy my food at a table with a  bathroom nearby.  I get that it’s a lower cost for some to get into than a bricks and mortar option and I respect that, so I get it.


Who is your celebrity crush?
 Oh I’m too old to have one, I don’t know, maybe Neil Patrick Harris.  He’s lovely and so is husband, as are their kids.


 
What else would you like to share?
As much as I enjoy hosting events and getting to  meet people, I wish I didn’t have to.
New York City Councilmen Corey Johnson was a speaker on  Gala I recently hosted  and he has spent most of his life telling the story of coming out as gay in high school, as a captain of the football team.  He’s spent his whole adult life talking about being out, gay rights, serving others.  As long as we still need things like the Ohio AIDS Walk  I’ll be there.  It’s a privilege to get to talk to people about a cause I’m passionate about and we need to work together until this is conquered..
We are not done yet!!!tedarc

 

If you’d like to join Ted Allen Sunday, April 19th for the Dayton 5K AIDS Walk, which also has a 1K stroll and a 16 mile bikeride, you can sign up online until Saturday at 5pm, or just register at the even.  On Sunday registration begins at 10am at UD River Campus  (the old NCR Headquarters) at 1700 S Patterson  Blvd.  The Walk/Run/Ride steps off about noon.  Help raise $1000 and you can join Ted Allen at a Grand Walker brunch at Coco’s Bistro.   Check the AIDS Walk site for more info.

City Creates Small Business Advocate Position To Assist Small Businesses

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943254_10201221741408644_706306022_nThe City of Dayton has created a position that aims to help entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate regulations, permits and processes necessary to get a business started.

The Small Business Advocate will focus on educating the business community about the permitting process so permits may be obtained in a timely manner. City staffer Brock Taylor, Economic Development Specialist has been promoted to fill the position.

“Brock is well-qualified, given his background in working with businesses in both the private and public sectors,” said City Manager Warren Price.  “His extensive knowledge of the Dayton business community gained through his work in our Office of Economic Development is a valuable resource for local businesses.”

The idea for the position was generated through the Mayor’s Business Round Table meeting last year, where area business owners discussed ways to make the City more small business friendly.  During that meeting, businesses asked that City officials provide some help to entrepreneurs who are struggling through the process of opening a business.

“Whether it’s a start-up, growing company or a “mom and pop” shop, this new position will act as a “personal concierge” to business owners,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.  “We want entrepreneurs to spend more time investing in their business and less time navigating the permit process.”

Taylor has a Bachelor in Organizational Leadership from Wright State University and is working towards a Master in Public Administration.  He is scheduled to begin his new role this month

The Greatest Donuts in the World + **Win a Dozen of Them !**

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Owner Lisa with a Young Customer

Every glazed must kneel, every jelly must bow…. Dayton, Ohio is home to many things, including the World’s Best Donuts since 1960.  Bill’s Donut Shop is no doubt a Miami Valley icon, located at 268 N. Main Street in Centerville.  They have won countless local awards, and have been featured nationally in Saveur Magazine, USA Today, and even recently on the Ellen Degeneres Show.  We think it is not a big step to proclaim these the “World’s Greatest Donuts.”  If you don’t believe it, let the Food Adventures Crew edify you.

 

***** Want to win a dozen of the WORLD’S GREATEST DONUTS? *****   All you have to do is comment on the story below and one winner will be chosen at random next week (one comment per person please).

 

Local celebs like ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, WHIO’s Mike Hartsock and University of Dayton legend, Don Donaher have named Bill’s as their favorite.   Even national talk show host Phil Donahue, Congressman Mike Turner and singer Chet Atkins have given the donut shop accolades.  We have also found many Daytonians who have moved away, always take time to stop at Bill’s Donuts and get their fix.  Many who come in form out of town introduce their spouses or kids to the donuts, so the next generation can worship the legend.  The shop has a cult following of regulars, some sit at the coffee bar, others in booths,  One notable patron Kevin, who is also called “Dewey” is a friendly man who has been a fixture there since the 80’s.

 

the Preztel Donut

The Pretzel Donut – Click to Enlarge the Flaky Goodness

This place is popular… like grass roots popular.  Even without the celeb endorsements.  For example, this Saturday Bill’s Donut Shop is hosting the annual Superhero 5k run for A Special Wish Foundation.  The 5k had room for 500 runners and it sold out a week in advance.  We think the 5k’s “donut after party” had something to do with the sellout.
So, with all the press, popularity and endorsements, why is Food Adventures writing an article on Bill’s Donut Shop?  The answer is simple, we dig deeper.  We dig into not only which individual donuts are the best of the best, but we ask “WHY?”  What is the secret that makes these the most delectable donuts on earth?

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Original owners Bill and Faye Elam opened Bill’s Donuts in 1960.  In 1995, they sold the business to two of their children, Lisa and Jim Elam.

— One of the biggest attractions is that the donut shop is open 24 hours a day, except for certain holidays.

— The best donuts in the world run about 80 to 85 cents each.  There are 2 different types of donuts the yeast ones (glazed) and the cake donuts, but in recent years they have added some delicious danish, creme horns, muffins and more.  All of them live up to the delicious standards of Bill’s, especially the huge chocolate brownies with chocolate icing.

— Also known for their coffee, typically Boston Stoker, they also offer milk, juices and hot chocolates and a mini cappuccino bar.

— The booths are old and tight, the coffee bar seating is definitely a throwback style.  Warning – you may find long lines on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but the lines go fast.  It is worth it for the magic inside the display cases.  Another thing.. we call it one of our “fat kid tricks.”  If you have the donuts a day or two later, pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.  It makes them taste brand new again.

Chocolate icing

The Round Donuts with Chocolate Icing and Cream Filling are Hungry Jax’s Favorite !

— Bill’s Donut Shop is also a huge supporter of local causes.  They donate to dozens of charities and have been sponsoring local sports teams for many decades.  They have a strong family belief in giving back to the community, which is deeply ingrained in their corporate philosophy.

— The Secret to the “Best Donuts in the World”, according to owner Lisa Elam is in 3 parts:

1) Bill’s uses only the purest, top quality oil to fry their donuts.

2) Top quality sugar and flour go into the donut recipes.  Only the best ingredients have been used since 1960.

3) Cooking expertise from decades of experience.  There is something to be said for experience and knowledge of workers who have been employed for 20 years or more.  They know their craft, they know their industry and have developed a skill and a style.  Most of the workers are truly seasoned veterans and expert donut makers overseeing the operation, not someone who has been working there a few months.

 

We now explore the ultimates in donut world.. which ones are the best?  Which ones are the MUST EATS… The Food Adventures Crew has done their homework on this one.  The King, Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu have literally eaten dozens and dozens of these donuts over the years.  Probably enough to fill up Vin Diesel’s car trunk.   So here is the result of our years of research….

 

MUST EATS:

—THE PRETZEL DONUT: A huge pretzel shaped, glazed monster you have to twist to pull apart.  Some parts of the donut are gooey and fresh, while other parts have the cooked glazed crust.  This is the Big Ragu’s favorite donut of all time.  It is a melt in your mouth delight.

—THE CHOCOLATE ICED ROUNDS WITH CREME FILLING: A simple round donut, iced with chocolate icing and injected with light cream.
Hungry Jax points to these as her favorites.  The creme texture mixed with the icing and one of a kind Bill’s Donut flavor will put you on Dream Street.

—THE PEANUT BUTTER FILLED LONGJOHNS WITH CHOCOLATE ICING: Chef House’s favorite donut from Bill’s is one of their most sought after. This large rectangle pastry is iced with chocolate and stuffed with peanut butter creme.  It’s one of those treats you bight into and say with a full mouth, “are you kidding me?”

—THE BUTTERY TWISTS: Are resident sweets expert, The King, will tell you that this is the best choice in Bill’s display case. A big donut that is buttery glazed and big on taste.  Melt in your mouth delicious.

OMG Apple muffin

An Apple Crisp Muffin – Better Get Some Milk !

— THE CHOCOLATE GLAZED: WARNING! A glass of milk must be within 3 feet of you when eating these.  These devilsfood cake donuts are the cats meow.  We could eat a dozen of these ourselves.

— THE PERSIAN WITH NUTS: Huge cinnamon buns with peanut butter icing and crushed peanuts on top.  Rich, filling and sinful, what a great way to start a morning.

— THE SOUR CREAM DONUT:  It tastes nothing like it sounds.  this is an old fashioned style, almost crunchy donut made with a bit of sour cream.  The result is the inside is a lightly fluffy, vanilla flavor.  The outside is a nice crunchy brown coating with a glaze.

— APPLE CRISP MUFFINS:  How did they fit an apple pie into a muffin?   This is the dark horse of the whole place and a rare sight.  So grab ’em when you can.  Thank us later, it will bring tears to your eyes.

Honorable Mention:  The Blueberry Donuts are amazing.  Also, you cant go wrong with a Jelly Donut with Vanilla Icing or a Powdered Donut filled with Cream.  They also have a few donuts that are Custard Filled.  The Big Ragu says the custard filled donuts will knock your socks off.  There are so many others like the Apple Fritters and the Crullers, which when you say it sounds like you are gurgling salt water.   Even the “Doughnut Stix” kick butt.

 

Again we say, every donut hole must kneel, every Long John must bow.  Sprinkles or not, you have now experienced the upper echelon of the breakfast / dessert world.  You have experienced the pinnacle of pudding in a glazed bun.  You are lucky to live in Dayton, Ohio.. for you have experienced Bill’s Donut’s…  The Greatest Donuts in the World.

Want scoop on all of Dayton’s greatest food stops?  THEN LIKE FOOD ADVENTURES ON FACEBOOK HERE !

Check out our gallery below and see all the wonderful, magical donuts that Bill’s Donut Shop has to offer !

***** ALSO, DONT FORGET TO COMMENT BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FREE DOZEN DONUTS FROM BILL’S DONUTS  !! *****

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Mudlick Tap House ‘s Inaugural Bourbon Dinner

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11128835_867515563309265_7460859881124613876_nGermantown’s Mudlick Tap House recently added liquor to their offerings and tonight at 6pm they are celebrating with a bourbon dinner. Smart Guy In A Tie Cocktials owner, Brian Petro, will be conducting a Bourbon 101 throughout dinner which includes education on the basic nosing and tasting techniques of bourbon whiskey, as well as the rich history of the spirit.  Chef Lee Anne House has created each course to pair with the featured bourbon cocktail.  Here’s what’s on the menu:

1st course:
Gold Rush: Something to cool off the pallet while you are enjoying your Sriracha BBQ ribs
Pork spare ribs slow cooked to perfection. Finished with a sriracha BBQ and served with a cornbread muffin topped with lime cumin whipped butter.

2nd course:
Whiskey Buck: Rye Bourbon with a little bite. It’s a classic American cocktail to complement to a modern twist on a classic!
Braised chicken thighs with a parmesan potato gratin and a brussel sprout and bacon hash.

3rd course:
Bourbon Chiller: A vanilla infused Bourbon with coffee as a balance to the apple, rhubarb, and cinnamon
Apple and rhubarb cobbler served a la mode with cinnamon ice cream.

This is an exclusive event and the Tap House will not be open to the public. Reservations are limited and required. Cost is $50 per person and includes 3 courses and 3 cocktails (beer available upon request). Make reservations by emailing [email protected]!

Xenia Author’s First Book Published

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Beyond-the-HorizonOhio author, Ryan Ireland will present his debut novel, Beyond the Horizon. Beyond the Horizon is both a fabled rewritten history of the American West and a critical metaphor of American expansionist period. In frontier America, a man lives with a pregnant woman who is not his wife.

Ryan will discuss the writing and publishing process, read selections from the book, and take questions from the audience. Refreshments will be provided.

Franco and Hill in TRUE STORY Starts Friday + Elaine Paige News at THE NEON!

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trueHello Everyone,

If you still need to see THE WRECKING CREW, IT FOLLOWS or WILD TALES, you only have until Thursday (Apr. 16). WOMAN IN GOLD was loved by patrons this weekend, and it will stick around for another week. Many thanks if you hurried out this past weekend to see it! On Friday, we will open a film based on a true story…and guess what, it’s called TRUE STORY – starring Jonah Hill, James Franco and Felicity Jones. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for TRUE STORY: “When disgraced New York Times reporter Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) meets accused killer Christian Longo (James Franco) – who has taken on Finkel’s identity – his investigation morphs into an unforgettable game of cat and mouse. Based on actual events, Finkel’s relentless pursuit of Longo’s true story encompasses murder, love, deceit, and redemption.” (Fox Searchlight) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“This Sunday, April 19 at 3:00, join The Dayton International Peace Museum at THE NEON for an upbeat rally to inspire, inform and prepare Team Captains for their essential role in the upcoming May 2 Peace Heroes Walk at RiverScape MetroPark. Featured speaker will be Captain Paul Chappell, author, educator and Peace Leadership Director at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Featured musical entertainment will be Michael and Sandy Bashaw. Artists/musicians Michael and Sandy Bashaw are based in Dayton, Ohio. Michael is a musician, visual artist, and educator. For over 25 years, he has conducted residencies and workshops in hundreds of schools. Sandy began her musical career as a folksinger and recording artist for the Vanguard Recording Society. Both are BMI-affiliated, Emmy-nominated composers. More information about the walk at: PeaceHeroesWalk.org This event is sponsored by the Dayton International Peace Museum and NCCJ of Greater Dayton. It is open to anyone interested in helping organize a team for this year’s Walk.” (taken from The Dayton International Peace Museum press notes)

THE DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has grown considerably over the years, and the line-up is always terrific. The following are films that will screen at THE NEON:
Sun, April 26 at 3:10 – 70 HESTER STREET & THE STURGEON QUEENS.
Sun, April 26 at 5:00 – ZAYTOUN.
Tue, April 28 at 10am – THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER.
Tue, April 28 at 7:15 – 24 DAYS.
Wed, May 6 at 7:15 – DANCING IN JAFFA.
Tue, May 12 at 7:15 – FOR A WOMAN.
Thu, May 14 at 7:15 – RUN BOY RUN.
The official website for the festival is now up and running! You can read about all the films, watch trailers and discover all that the festival has to offer. Check it out by visiting this LINK.

Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is brining a special screening of GROWING CITIES to town. “Growing Cities is a film about urban farming in America. At a time when so much negative attention is paid to the food system – from mad cows to factory farms – this film tells the inspiring stories of city-dwellers who are transforming their communities one vacant lot, backyard beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Join the filmmakers on a cross-county road trip, along the way these growers show that the urban farming movement is about a whole lot more than simply food and that everyone can take part in creating a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system.” (taken from press notes) This film will screen on Saturday, May 2 at 3:00. Tickets are free, but reservations must be made by call or emailing Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

On Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30, we will have a one-time screening of I’M STILL HERE – ELAINE PAIGE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. “The incomparable Elaine Paige brings her sell-out Farewell Concert from the Royal Albert Hall to the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra featuring special guests. Filmed for cinema, the concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Elaine performing the highlights of her extraordinary 50 year career, including “Memory,” “I Know Him so Well” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The evening will finish with special footage including a Q&A and more intimate performance with special guests recently captured in London.” (taken from press notes) General Admission tickets just $12. Senior tickets just $10. Tickets for this event can be purchased on-line via this LINK. They will also be available at THE NEON’s box office (without the surcharge) beginning 4/15/15.

We have so many one-night-only events on the horizon. In the next couple months, we’ll have Gathr screenings, a Stivers Student Showcase, and a special presentation of TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL. More details coming soon. Stay tuned for the latest!

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 17 – Thursday, April 23:

WOMAN IN GOLD (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:55, 5:15, 7:40

TRUE STORY (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:50

Dayton International Peace Museum’s
PEACE HEROES WALK RALLY (NR)
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 24 – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
TBD- RED ARMY
TBD – MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – ’71
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

3rd on Third Kicks Off 2015 Season

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Do you ever find yourself wishing the 2nd Street Market were open on Sunday? Love food trucks and flea markets? How about we add live music to the mix? That’s exactly what you will find at 3rd on Third, Dayton’s Sunday eclectic outdoor market!  This free family friendly event occurs as the name indicates, the 3rd Sunday of every month from April through October in the Huffman Historic District at 1121 E Third St. from 11am – 4pm.

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The 2015 season starts this Sunday, April 19th. Over fifty vendors, ranging from antiques to local art, will be on hand, along with five food trucks. The musical guests this month are the very talented women of Berachah Valley. If you like traditional or bluegrass music, you will be foot stomping and dancing before you know it! Check out the band at: http://www.berachahvalley.com/music

According to the organizers, this market started last year as a larger part of the East Third Street Revitalization Strategy to spark retail and 10949748_450793021745563_963248342104218570_nresidential development along East Third Street from Keowee to the intersection at Linden/Springfield and further into the Huffman Historic District, creating a diverse, vibrant, walkable and sustainable community that attracts a mix of professionals, families, artists, and immigrants.

Mark your calendars for the remaining six 3rd on Third events: May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18

Vendors interested in participating can sign up here: www.3rdon3rd.eventbrite.com  (The cost is $25 for a 10′ x 10′ booth)

For additional information visit: https://www.facebook.com/3rdon3rd

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