Archives for June 2015

Subway Dragons 5K is Saturday

June 21, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Join Heater, Gem and thousands of other runners and walkers on Saturday, June 27 at Fifth Third Field. The race will begin at 9am and is for runners, walkers and even strollers! Participants will receive a Subway Dragons 5k shirt, two lawn tickets to a Dragons game, a voucher for a free sub and a voucher for a buy one get one free offer from Subway, a Dragons souvenir, and access for themselves and their supporters to the post-race party featuring tons of activities for adults and kids alike! The race is $25 in advance, $30 the week of the race and only $15 for youth 17 and under. For more info, visit http://www.daytondragons.com/subwaydragons5k.

Claudia Carawan – “Positively Soulful Music”

June 21, 2015 By Guest Contributor

Vibrant, authentic and full of joy, Claudia Carawan is an award-winning singer/songwriter, inspirational speaker & performer whose music runs deep. Her voice has been described as “goose-bump inducing” and her original songs feature buoyant melodies fused with feel-good lyrics. In addition to being an award-winning songwriter, Claudia is also an inspiring speaker and teacher who facilitates classes and workshops. At the heart of Claudia’s music and mission as an artist is a belief that music is transformative. Claudia’s authentic and high energy approach gives her audience a feeling of empowerment, a strong sense of joy and the feeling that anything is possible.

Cobblestone Cafe Quietly Reaches 15th Anniversary

June 19, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Baked Brie – served with crackers. A rare special at Cobblestone Cafe, but a MUST EAT !

This feature article is about a place that many Dayton area foodies have never visited. But somehow, it remains very busy and this week is quietly completing its 15th year in business. The Cobblestone Cafe, in Waynesville, has personality. It is connected to a little home decor shop. The cafe is a mom and pop version of ‘Cracker Barrel,’ but light years ahead. The store is elegant meets antique, and the food is gourmet. The laid back atmosphere is a perfect venue for chef creations is a quaint, cozy country atmosphere. This article could just of easily been titled “The Coziest Cafe with Great Food that You’ve Never Been to.” But alas, this is our Food Adventure mission. To boldly go where no fork has gone before… and live to tell the tale, with killer pictures and tips from many experiences at a restaurant. So join Chef House, The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax as we explore one of the best kept secrets in the Miami Valley, The Cobblestone Cafe.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Cobblestone Cafe is a true “Mom and Pop” restaurant, owned locally by Rick and Brenda Weber for 15 years. Currently, one of their sons, Ben, is a waiter as well.

Mushroom Ragu Crepes.. Did somebody say Ragu ?

— The cafe is located at 10 N. Main St. in Waynesville, and is tucked into shops in the downtown area. The dining area is small, with the feel of home.

— Chef Jessica Livingston continues to impress with her menu. Influences of French cuisine and country cooking are evident in standard dishes and specials.

— The cafe features a standard menu and daily specials. Please note their hours are typically 11am – 4pm, and they are closed Mondays.

— On Sunday they offer a brunch, which is a one time only collection of 4 or 5 dishes available that day, along with the standard menu. This is a great time to experience some of the more inventive creations of Chef Jess. (But they are closed Sunday for Father’s Day).

— The staff is friendly and helpful, from the first moment they serve you complimentary muffins, until your meal is finished with a complimentary Chai Tea. The restaurant is very accommodating for kids. A special shout out to the service staff Gabrielle, Ben and others who always make us feel like VIP’s.

The Lemon Herb Mahi Sandwich – get a fork !

Which menu items are the best? It was tough to narrow the list down to a few choices, given the revolving menu and the new items we have eaten on Sunday brunches, but here goes. Our patented MUST EATS for The Cobble Stone Cafe are as follows…

MUST EATS:

— BAKED BRIE: A rare special served sometimes on brunch days, this is one of the best appetizers we have ever eaten. It is brie encrusted in a pastry and the melted cheese combo wakes up your taste buds like nothing else. We beg them to make this a regular menu item, because it fits perfect in their cozy atmosphere.

— HONEY FRIED CHICKEN SALAD: They feature their fried chicken on salads, sandwiches, waffles and by itself. When you see the fried chicken as an ingredient at Cobblestone….. GET IT ! Irresistible and crunchy, it is magic on a plate.

— MUSHROOM RAGU CREPES: Crepes are a rare treat in Dayton, Ohio and these are rich, creamy and dreamy. A tested creation, they have improved the recipe of this delicate and delicious meal. Lose yourself in this plate.

— CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH: Simple huh? Yes, and man is it good. A filling, generous portion of Chicken Salad, that we suggest ordering on a croissant. The soup and sandwich deal is pretty much a standard go to, and chicken salad leads the way !

— LEMON HERB MAHI on CIABATTA: This is a tough one.. eat the sandwich, or fork it? The Mahi Mahi is so good, it could easily stand by itself. We find ourselves dissecting the sandwich with a fork and enjoying the Ciabatta top separately.

— CITRUS AHI KABOBS: Perfectly seared and grilled, these skewers are seasoned with a perfect amount of lime juice and more. We love their ahi appetizers as well. This is another one of those rules of thumb at Cobblestone. If you see Ahi tuna options, GET THEM !

— BRUNCH: Specialty items,and new inventions highlight every Sunday Morning. A couple of the specials are usually breakfast foods, and a couple are lunch oriented. Definitely worth checking out.

Honorable Mention: Vegetarians love the The Asparagus Sandwich and Cobblestone Cafe calls this their signature sandwich for the last 15 years. Also, the Zucchini Fritter appetizers are a good, unique way to start off the meal.

Everyone gets an “end of lunch Chai Tea,” compliments of the House !

So, Happy Anniversary Cobblestone Cafe and congrats on a great menu ! We can’t wait to see what the next 15 years has in store for local foodies. Places like Cobblestone Cafe are a perfect example of why we write Food Adventure articles. It is our opportunity to bring your attention to locally owned spots with terrific food, that you may not know about. In a day where people are chasing the next grand opening, we wanted to let you know about an old standard, who is still pushing the envelope of taste after 15 years.

Thanks for reading this week’s feature. We are not food critics eating a dish or two, in one visit and ranking a restaurant. We are FOOD ADVENTURERS. We are the real deal and visit a spot many times, before undertaking an article. That way, we eat a huge variety of offerings, and don’t just list menu items or use stock photos.

You can depend on us every week for fresh, original feature articles on Dayton Most Metro. Want more Food Adventures? Follow us on INSTAGRAM HERE and “like” us on FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE.

Peanut Butter Pie

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Inside the Cafe

Layered Pie

Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich – one of the best things on the menu

Free Muff – pre-meal (complimentary)

Ahi Tuna

Kids Waffle Breakfast

Refreshing Menu

Me and Earl and The Dying Girl Ticket Giveaway

June 19, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl (RJ Cyler), with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a ‘co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom (Connie Britton) insists he spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer – he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be.

DaytonMostMetro Wants to Send You to A Screening! If you’d like to enter our random drawing, fill out the form below and leave us a comment telling us why you should win. We’ll pick 10 winners and notify you this Sunday.

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Tues. 6/23 @ The Greene at 7PM

[form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

“Walk”ing Tall: An Interview With Marion Walker

June 19, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Since moving out of their homes in Reno, Nevada and setting out on their two-month stint on the road began back in May, Marion Walker’s tour has experienced a couple of unfortunate events. For starters, an electrical issue that forced them to cancel the first out of town show. When they finally diagnosed the problem, they were able to do enough to get them rolling again. During a stop in Austin, Texas, the members of the band came into the town unaware that they were entering in one of the most torrential thunderstorms in the city’s history. While the group was able to leave town before the worst of the damage, they had friends of friends that weren’t so lucky. One of the members of the band, vocalist/guitarist Kyle Akins, spoke about a story that involved a group of teens staying out late due to it being their prom night. The steady rainfall started to grow more intense on the road; trapping one of the teens inside her car. Frightened and unsure as to what to do, the young girl calls her father for help. As he instructed his daughter on what to do, he sees the line drops. The young girl’s phone dies and went missing. When retelling the story, you can hear the suffering that Akins still has lingering.

“So tragic”, he says softly.

While most would start to consider this being a sign to pack on up and cancel the rest of the shows, Marion Walker have an unwavering desire to continue on. The 3-piece ensemble had about twenty minutes left to drive before they’d stop for the night. Tonight’s set will be performed at Tree House Lounge in Washington, D.C. In the meantime, the band have stopped at a nearby rest stop when we began our conversation. While the tour as a whole has been going well, the beginning stages of it tell a much different story. When explaining it, Akins summed it up by referencing a quote from the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre:

“Mercury has just went into retrograde.”

In 2012, Akins was throwing around the idea of doing experimental dance music when he was introduced to Jessie Smith by one of his musician friends. When she was a kid, Smith mentions that she would get ribbed by her parents because she would climb all over everything. Once she got really into dancing in high school, she knew that it was something that she wanted to be serious about long term. After seventeen years of dancing, Smith’s resume is full of accolades; owning her dance company titled Dead Bird Movement, choreographing for Seattle art/theater group Saint Genet, and dancing with Seattle choreographer Dayna Hanson. The duo immediately hit it off and soon began putting some music together. Smith choreographed the group’s recent video “We Won’t Be In Love Much Longer.” Filmed with no crew in the foggy Florida forests, Smith and Akins had to discover different ways of thinking about making the video.

“It’s all photo stills…we had to figure it a way to make the shots interesting using a tripod,” Akins explained. “In each frame in the video is actually four or five seconds of movement. We had the shutter open and we were experimenting with light exposure. If you watched the video in real time, it would be about thirty minutes long.” Akins added that 36,000 photos were taken during the video shoot, while only 2400 are used.

Musically, the early recordings of Marion Walker showcased a folksy sound; focusing on the music being pushed to be intimate. Now with their upcoming EP Serious Picnic set for release on June 23^rd, the band switches gears towards exploring a more psychedelic rock sound. The 3-song, 11-minute and 11-second EP is a machine that is heavy on the reverb and features a beautifully interwoven mixture of Akins and Smith’s vocals. The writing sessions began back in June of last year in Asheville, North Carolina while Smith was performing a dance show. The tragic events in Ferguson, Missouri with the death of Michael Brown navigated Marion Walker into a collective stream of consciousness. Now meant to be consumed in its entirety, the opener “Seriously,” a haunting fuzzed out opus. Straight into the churning “Silver Drone”, “Volunteers” finishes the EP strong.

In the later stages this summer, Marion Walker will start prepping for what could possibly be a full-length. With a few weeks left to go on the road, Marion Walker will spend some time with family down in Florida once their latest leg comes to an end. Time that they deserve to have, no question.

Marion Walker will be performing at Blind Bob’s on June 19th with Salvador Ross and Lot Lizard. Showtime is 9pm. $5 cover.

Evolution of an Icon – National Martini Day

June 19, 2015 By Brian Petro

The cocktail. The myth. The legend.

The martini is an iconic drink. So iconic, in fact, that the glass it is served in with an olive is an almost universal symbol of a cocktail. June 19^th every year is National Martini Day, one day we get to celebrate this legend and all of the varieties it has spawned. Starting with Mae West and James Thurber, to James Bond to Sex in the City, martinis in all their various forms have been embraced by pop culture as elegance in a glass. Maybe it is the simplicity of the ingredients. Maybe it is the balance of sweet and strong ingredients. Maybe it is the flexibility of the cocktail over the ages. Whatever the reason, more has been written and said about the martini than almost any other cocktail in history. And it all started in a little town in California.

The Golden (Rush) Age

The grandparents of the martini are just as distinguished as the cocktail itself. The Manhattan, well known to whiskey enthusiasts, is thought to be one of the original influencers on the cocktail. The use of vermouths and other aperitifs in cocktails was well established by the mid-nineteenth century. The other big influencer on the creation of the martini is the Martinez, a cocktail created in California during the Gold Rush. There are many stories told about how the Martinez was created, but the most common one involves a miner stopping at a bar in Martinez, CA and requesting that the bartender make him something special. Sometimes that bartender is the iconic Jerry Thomas, sometimes it is not. The bartender then created the cocktail as listed below:

The Martinez utilized sweet vermouth and gin, but it soon evolved.

The Martinez

1.5 oz. gin
1.5 oz. sweet vermouth
¼ oz. Maraschino liqueur (some recipes call for orange curacao)
2-3 dashes of orange bitters
Garnish: Lemon Peel

Pour all of the ingredients over ice into a glass. Stir for 20 seconds until the cocktail is chilled; strain the ingredients into a martini glass. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail then add to the drink.

Even the glass the martini is served is in designed for the enjoyment of the libation. The glass is stemmed so you can hold it away from the drink, keeping it is chilled as long as possible. In all martinis, the water you get from stirring or shaking is important to the enjoyment of the cocktail. It softens the gin and smooths out any rough edges. The reputation of this cocktail spread from California to the rest of the country, and the rest of the country had something to say about how the cocktail was made.

The Martini Dries Out

This is as close as the vermouth should come to your cocktail.

The first place the martini recipe was actually written down was in 1882 by Harry Johnson in his Bartender’s Manual. It is much different than the one we would recognize today, adding gum syrup for some sweetness and thickness and with liquor proportions like the Martinez. As the 19^th century turned into the 20^th, dry vermouth, or French, vermouth was becoming more and more popular in bars on the east coast. It even found its way into the martini, immediately changing the complexion of the cocktail. Originally a martini with dry vermouth was known as a Dry Martini, but the dry was dropped as dry vermouth became the go to aperitif for the cocktail. As the nation got closer and closer to Prohibition, the martini became drier and simpler, losing sweeteners and having the ratio of gin to vermouth drop. It eventually settled to a 3 to 5 parts gin to one part vermouth ratio. In The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, author David Embury even went as far as to insist the perfect ration is seven part gin to one part vermouth. A dry martini indeed.

The Dry Martini

2 ½ oz. gin
½ oz. dry vermouth
2-3 dashes orange bitters

Pour all of the ingredients over ice into a glass. Stir for 20 seconds until the cocktail is chilled; strain the ingredients into a martini glass. You may choose to add an olive or a twisted lemon peel for a garnish.

It was only called a Dry Martini at the time to distinguish it from its sweet vermouth based cousin. Time and other circumstances kept pulling the vermouth out of the cocktail.

Cocktails during Prohibition were not complicated at all. “Pour some liquor in a glass and drink” is a pretty accurate description of most drinks in the United States during this period. All of the great bartenders fled overseas and were creating new libations in Europe and the Caribbean. The ones still in the states were trying not to get caught serving cocktails, so ingredients like vermouth became novelties. Martinis became a little more than some chilled gin in a glass, and that is the way many people liked it. Even after Prohibition ended, the dryness of the martini stayed. Many luminaries of the time insisted the only way to drink a martini was to leave out the vermouth all together and just drink chilled gin in a martini glass. Maybe have a bottle of vermouth in the room or toast in the direction of France as you enjoyed your drink. This was also a time bartenders would use atomizers with vermouth or just wash the glass with vermouth to add a hint of the flavor, but not much of one. It was during this era that the dryness of the martini referred to a lack of vermouth as opposed to using different vermouth. This changed with the introduction of a new spirit to the American palate: vodka.

Leaving us Breathless

A vintage 1953 Smirnoff ad. It even advocates the Vodka Martini.

Vodka is a relative newcomer to the U.S. cocktail menu. It arrived on the shores in the 1950’s, and became hugely popular with the “Leaves You Breathless” campaign used by Smirnoff. One of the advantages vodka had over gin was the fact that after a three martini lunch, you did not carry a piney smell around for the rest of the afternoon. Since the art of bartending was just still filtering back into the United States, most bartenders substituted gin with vodka in cocktails as experiments. One of those was the martini, which for some reason was then christened the Kangaroo.

The Kangaroo

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. dry vermouth
Garnish: Lemon Peel

Many bars today don’t even add the vermouth to a vodka martini. There is no other flavor to balance out the cocktail, so instead of overwhelming the vodka, they just leave it out. Vodka opened a door for other experimentation. Since it is odorless and flavorless, it is a blank canvas on which to work. This gave the men and women behind the bar more room to play with flavor and other ingredients, straining them into a martini glass, and called the concoction some form of martini. This led to a little darker era for the martini purists.

Appletinis, Chocolate Martinis, and Questionable Martini Creations

It could be argued that the Cosmopolitan, developed in the 1970’s but not reaching peak popularity until the 90’s, was the precursor to the flood of flavored martinis. It could also be argued the Cosmopolitan was the precursor to the flavored vodka boom, but that is a different article. Other cocktail historians point to the French Martini at Pravda in the late 1990’s as the flash point for flavored martinis.

So…this era happened…

French Martini

1 oz. vodka
1 oz. Chambord (any fine raspberry liqueur will do)
2 oz. pineapple juice

Pour the ingredients into a mixing tin over ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds; strain into a martini glass.

This is a delicious cocktail, but is it a martini? Purists (myself included) would say no, that this is a delicious cocktail in a martini glass. A martini is gin (or vodka) and vermouth in a martini glass. The blank canvas expanded to include Lemon Drop Martinis, Appletinis, Cherry Cheesecake Martinis, Espresso Martinis, and all other manner of concoctions and variations. Menus became full of these cocktails, and for a while it was all the rage. Something in the bar community shifted in the early 2000’s, and classic cocktails fought their way back to the menu. This meant that the original martini, full of gin and vermouth and old world flavor, returned to menus as an option to the other martinis that were offered. You would be hard pressed to find a White Chocolate Martini in a craft cocktail bar these days. Though if you asked nicely, I am sure they would be able to make you one.

No matter how you enjoy your martini, June 19^th, National Martini Day, is a perfect day to, as Mae West put it, “slip into a dry martini”. Plenty of vermouth or no vermouth, flavored or not, you have many options to explore in one day. Just pace yourself. There is still a whole weekend of martini drinking to get through, and you may want to have one with dad on Father’s Day. Cheers!

11 Musical Acts at Miamisburg’s Brew Grass Festival

June 18, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Bluegrass, cold brews and Zombie Dogz, not a bad start for a brand new festival on the banks of the Great Miami River in historic downtown Miamisburg. This Saturday, June 20th from 11am – 11:30pm, is an outdoor celebration of Bluegrass, Americana, Folk music, and Ohio’s beer-brewing heritage at Riverfront Park. The lineup includes grammy-winning and nominated artists, IBMA award winners, along with many more talented regional acts. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the event and $1 of every ticket goes to the Dayton Chapter of A Special Wish Foundation.

Food vendors schedule to attend include: 1776 grill, Bessie Homemade Noodles, Star City BBQ, Ritter’s frozen custard, Star City breweries very special butterbeer ( basically the best cream soda you’ve ever had in your life with whip cream on top). Lucky Star Brewery will be serving their homemade root beer and Zombie Dogz will join the fun at 5pm. Dash Concessions will be there serving funnel cakes sweet tea hot dogs and other treats. No coolers will be allowed.

Here’s the musical lineup:

~MOUNTAIN HEART~

~THE CLAY HESS BAND~

~JOE MULLINS & THE RADIO RAMBLERS~

~NIGHTFLYER~

~THE REPEATING ARMS~

~BUFFALO WABS & THE PRICE HILL HUSTLE~

~AGAINST THE GRAIN~

~EVAN LANIER & THE BLUEGRASS EXPRESS~

~MY BROTHERS KEEPER~

~THE GREAT WIDE OPEN~

~MAD RIVER RAILROAD~

River Run Mural Design, Artist Announced

June 18, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Big changes are coming to the nearly 1,000-foot-long floodwall across from RiverScape MetroPark this summer. A colorful, active living-themed design, created by Oakwood resident Amy Deal, has been selected for the River Run mural in downtown Dayton.

Amy Deal with her winning designs. Photo by Val Beerbower

“My vision was to approach the project by including what is happening on and near the river, as well as showcasing that our river is healthy with an abundance of beautiful nature and wildlife,” said Deal, whose design was among more than 80 submitted. “The bike/running/walking trails in Dayton are spectacular. The impending River Run project is exciting and will only enhance river activity. I also included historical significance by symbolizing the Wright Brother’s Wright Flyer with graphic use of lines, which represent bridges. The circles represent Dayton’s history with bicycles. Dayton is active with cycling, walking, running, rollerblading, canoeing and kayaking to name a few. Dayton has opportunities for everyone.”

The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP), Miami Conservancy District (MCD), and Five Rivers MetroParks led the search for artists/designers to submit ideas to be painted on the 953-foot-long, concrete floodwall on the north side of the Great Miami River.

“The goal of the project is to commission a design that highlights or reveals something unique about the recreational, environmental or aesthetic beauty of the river,” said Bear Monita, chair of the design selection committee. “Amy Deal’s design does just that.”

Production of the mural will begin this summer. Downtown art programming and education services provider K12 Gallery will serve as the contractor, tasked with applying Deal’s design to the floodwall.

“We believe the mural will add to the attractiveness of Dayton’s riverfront and transform our floodwall into a piece of artwork for thousands to enjoy on a daily basis,” said Janet Bly, general manager of MCD, the agency managing the Dayton region’s flood protection system since 1915.

The River Run Mural will complement RiverScape River Run, a project that seeks to improve riparian habitat along the Great Miami River by removing dangerous low dams and replacing them with in-river flow control structures that double as recreational paddle sport channels.

RiverScape River Run is the signature project of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a multipronged economic development initiative and strategic blueprint for Dayton’s center city. A vibrant, thriving center city is crucial to the prosperity of the City of Dayton and Dayton region. The Greater Downtown Dayton Plan calls for building on downtown’s strengths to create the type of bustling city in demand today and to attract the young, talented workforce needed to propel Dayton’s economy.

The River Run mural project began when MCD rehabilitated the 90-year-old wall last fall and is made possible through the support of the CareSource Foundation, The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, and Cox Media Group Ohio. Visit www.downtowndayton.org for more information.

Dayton Dwell – A Celebration of Home!

June 18, 2015 By Lisa Grigsby

The typical American home is around 2600 square feet, while the typical small or tiny house is around 100-400 square feet. Tiny Houses come in all shapes, sizes and forms but they focus on smaller spaces and simplified living. People are joining this movement for many reasons, but the most popular reasons are because of environmental concerns, financial concerns and seeking more time and freedom.

This weekend, as part of Homearam, the Colorado Springs based Tiny House Jamboree™ will have a few of these little dwellings be on display at the Hook Estate. Four professional Tiny House builders will be opening their homes for tiny tours and speaking throughout the weekend about the ins and outs of living small.

The 1929 Hook Estate’s 12,000 square foot mansion will also be conducting live demonstrations and tours with home preservation seminars and vendors. The entire event is family friendly and will allow attendees to experience, first-hand, Tiny House and historic living. You’ll find the Hook Estate at 1231 Hook Estate Dr in Dayton.

Show Dates & Times:

June 19, 2015: Noon – 9pm
June 20, 2015: Noon – 9pm
June 21, 2015: Noon – 7pm

The event is proudly supported and produced by a dedicated partnership between:

The Home Builders Association of Dayton (producers of Homearama)
The Tiny House Jamboree of Colorado Springs, CO.
Red Oak Productions presenting the Ohio Old House Fair at the historic Hook Estate.
The City of Dayton, Ohio

Please visit their site at www.daytonhomerama.com for more information, and visit the Homerama on Facebook.

Breathe & Brew Yoga at Dayton Beer Company

June 18, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

Join the newly opened Dayton Beer Company in downtown Dayton for a Breathe and Brew all-levels yoga class this Sunday June 21st from 10:30am – 11:45. This is the perfect way to uplift each other, connect to our community, and celebrate Dayton! Enjoy the open air patio as we practice next to the beer being made. With the purchase of your ticket, you will receive a 75 minute yoga class + a flight of beer (a $10 value). Food trucks will be available for post class snacks as well. Oh, and don’t forget to bring Dad — this is a great way to spend Father’s Day together!

Tickets are $20.00 pre-sale or $25.00 at the door, and can be purchased at DBC via e-mail only ([email protected]) or directly via *PayPal, cash, or credit card. Upon any purchase you will receive an e-mailed receipt that will need to be shown at the door to get in. You may print it out, or simply show us your confirming e-mail on your phone!! Cheers!
*If you are purchasing your ticket via PayPal, please send money to e-mail address: [email protected] and simply put in the “comment” line: Breath and Brew.

‘Crowns’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Feel the Spirit

June 17, 2015 By Russell Florence, Jr.

A marvelously soul-stirring production of Regina Taylor’s off-Broadway spiritual play-with-music “Crowns” concludes the Human Race Theatre Company’s 2014-15 season at the Loft Theatre.

Adapted from the book of the same name by photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry, “Crowns” is a fascinating, humorous, potent and celebratory portal into the African-American custom of church hats. Generations of African-American women, harkening to African tradition, have valued and taken pride in wearing their finest, most flamboyant hats to Sunday service, particularly based on biblical statutes written by Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 (“But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head… For this reason a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head…”).

Cunningham and Marberry’s flavorful sources (over 50 women were interviewed) provide an engaging hook for Taylor, who weaves a fluid narrative arc from the earthy interviews detailing the comedic (“I’d lend my children before I’d lend my hats. My hats know their way home”) and introspective (“Our hats have already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear them”). By and large, Taylor transforms an honest, reflective look at women and fashion into a deeper examination of cultural identity, generational friction and the absorbing power of faith.

In this breezy tale, sharply co-directed by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company artistic director Debbie Blunden-Diggs and Human Race founding resident artist Scott Stoney, troubled Brooklyn teenager Yolanda (a terrifically tough and scarred Monette McKay) is grudgingly sent to live with her churchgoing grandmother Mother Shaw (a fabulous, vocally strong Joilet F. Harris) in Darlington, South Carolina following the death of her brother. The angst-filled, streetwise Yolanda strongly resists her new Southern surroundings, but with perceptive assistance from Mother Shaw and her gaggle of fussy church lady friends, Yolanda, caught between two worlds, comes to terms with the pain of her past and accepts a brighter future guided by God.

In addition to Harris (responsible for a rousing “I Am On the Battlefield”) and McKay, Blunden-Diggs and Stoney’s incredible cast of actor-singers fulfill their duties with astounding ease. Jasmine Easler, a true knockout this season at Wright State University, commands attention as the emotional, soul-searching Velma as she fervently sings “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” with searing, roof-raising passion. As the sophisticated Wanda, Joy Lynn Jacobs provides a wonderful lesson in hat etiquette. As the gentle Jeanette, former DCDC member Debra Walton, last seen at the Race in “Children of Eden,” performs a beautiful praise dance during “Oh Lord I’m Waitin’ On You,” one of many numbers expertly choreographed with personality and power by Blunden-Diggs. Torie Wiggins, a hoot this season in the Race’s productions of “Mame” and “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” brings the hilarity once again as sassy preacher’s wife Mabel, who shares important advice on how to handle and approach a Hat Queen. David Jennings, responsible for all the male roles, terrifically embodies preachers, fathers and husbands, particularly delivering a dynamic, tear-jerking rendition of the gospel standard “If I Can Help Somebody.”

The presentation’s high quality winningly extends to its technical team. Scenic designer Tamara L. Honesty supplies an excellent assortment of sliding panels, swivel racks and stained glass projections. David M. Covach’s colorfully attractive costumes are vivid and pay homage to African ancestry. Musical director Scot Woolley provides superb, joyful piano accompaniment. The contributions of lighting designer John Rensel and sound designer Jay Brunner (incorporating Nigerian music) are equally effective.

Even if you don’t consider yourself remotely religious or have never been curious about African-American women in church hats, you’re bound to find something eye-opening or relatable within the universal context of this production, clearly one of the best shows of the season. Can I get an Amen?

“Crowns” continues through June 28 in the Loft Theatre of the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Tuesday at 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act 1: 55 minutes; Act 2: 40 minutes. Also, Human Race resident artist Alan Bomar Jones also performs the male roles. Tickets are $40-$50, but discounts are available. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com or www.humanracetheatre.org.

I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS With Blythe Danner & Sam Elliott Opens at THE NEON

June 17, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

As planned, we’re moving forward this weekend with a film that many of you are anticipating. The trailer for I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS has been causing a lot of laughs and even some swoons (I had no idea that Sam Elliott had such a fan base)! LOVE & MERCY was a hit this weekend, and it will stick around. If you still need to see FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD or LAMBERT AND STAMP, you only have until Thursday to catch them at THE NEON. 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 I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS: Currently rated “94% Fresh” on rotten tomatoes.com! “In this vibrant, funny, and heartfelt film, a widow and former songstress discovers that life can begin anew at any age. With the support of three loyal girlfriends (June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place), Carol (Blythe Danner) decides to embrace the world, embarking on an unlikely friendship with her pool maintenance man (Martin Starr), pursuing a new love interest (Sam Elliott), and reconnecting with her daughter (Malin Akerman).” (taken from Bleecker Street) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Don’t forget that we still have tickets to the crowd-pleasing documentary TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL. It screens this Thursday (June 18) at 7:30. Tickets are just $8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKrhi2una2w

Director Kevin Nam will be debuting his first short film this Monday, June 22 at 8pm. “What if you were given a chance to traverse your own subconscious? Would you be afraid of what you may see? We all have our demons kept at bay buried under the lies we tell ourselves. Keaton, a heartbroken man, is given this chance to reshape and reform his memories. With the help of Dr. Darren Vonnuxley at Entropy’s Enlightenment, Keaton is plunged deep into his own subconscious, where he must confront and conquer his demon, face to face. HOW TO MURDER YOUR MELANCHOLY is a short dark psychological drama with horror elements filmed entirely in the Dayton, Ohio region. This one and only screening of the short film is the directorial debut of local resident Kevin Nam. The director requires a mature audience due to scenes of graphic violence, blood, and gore. The director will also be in attendance for a brief Q & A immediately following the film. Please arrive early, screening will promptly begin at 8 pm. Tickets are on a first-come first-serve basis. Admission is FREE.” (taken from Kevin Nam’s press notes)

Single Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio) and Doctors for America are proud to host a screening of the powerful documentary REMOTE AREA MEDICAL. During the U.S. debate about healthcare reform, the media failed to put a human face on what it means to not have access to healthcare. Over three days in April 2012, Remote Area Medical, the pioneers of “no-cost” healthcare clinics, treated nearly 2,000 patients on the infield of Bristol, Tennessee’s massive NASCAR speedway. REMOTE AREA MEDICAL affords us an insider’s perspective on the ebb and flow of the event. It is the extraordinary stories of the patients, desperate for medical attention, that create a lasting impression about the state of modern healthcare in America. Admission is free and open to the public. A panel discussion will be held after the movie with local physicians and health policy advocates. The film will screen on Sunday, July 12 at 3pm. Tickets will be given on a first come, first serve basis on the day of the screening.

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you this weekend!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, June 19 – Thursday, June 25:

LOVE & MERCY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min
Friday & Saturday: 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:20, 9:50
Sunday: 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:20
Monday: 2:45, 5:20
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:20, 7:50

I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS (PG-13) 1 Hr 32 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:30, 2:40, 4:50, 7:15, 9:20
Sunday: 12:30, 2:40, 4:50, 7:15
Monday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Tuesday: 12:30, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

HOW TO MURDER YOUR MELANCHOLY (NR) 19 min + Q&A
Monday: 8:00

COMING SOON:

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

TBD – SUNSHINE SUPERMAN, SAINT LAURENT,
ALOFT, IRRATIONAL MAN, INIFINITELY POLAR BEAR
July 1- ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL
July ? – AMY
July ? – MR. HOLMES

Dayton Rotary Ride Launches June 20th

June 17, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

Biking in Dayton has become all the rage, and for good reason! We have amazing trails and a new Link bike system, that makes biking easier and more enjoyable than ever. Now the Rotary Club of Dayton is taking the love of biking one step further by starting their own charity ride. The inaugural Dayton Rotary Ride will be held this Saturday June 20th, with proceeds benefiting their popular International Exchange Student program.

Phil Parks, one of the organizers of this event explains how the event will work: “The start of the ride has been carefully chosen as family friendly. We acknowledge that some members of the family may not want to ride a 50k or 100k ride. So we offer the family the opportunity to ride the first 3 ½ miles together. Then those wanting to return can turn onto a paved bike path and return to the starting point, Xenia Bike Hub. The more experienced riders can still ride together as a family for the first 14 miles. At the 14 mile mark we offer our first of 4 rest stops where the riders can take their first break. They will find food, water and toilet amenities offered by one of our many sponsors. After that, the 50k and 100k separate for their chosen scenic ride back to Xenia.”

Not only is this a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors – this is also a fantastic way to support a great cause! The Rotary Club of Dayton has been sponsoring Dayton Public School students, as an International Exchange Student, for many years. Likewise, members of the Club always host families for an inbound exchange student. During their years of running the exchange program, they have found that both outbound and inbound students always have a trip, or various needs, that require extra funding that their families cannot afford. The Dayton City School Students parents have skin in the game, but most times need some financial support in order to offer their children this wonderful international opportunity. Walt Hibner, Heath MacApline, and Phil Parks, all avid cyclers, hatched the plan for a fundraising event to help support these student’s unexpected needs and costs during their travels.

Phil Parks explains the goal of this event: “Long-term, we hope to see Dayton Public School Students volunteering for various duties along the ride. This collaborative effort is meant to show them how people working together can provide meaningful results. We want to make a BIG SPLASH, with the community and the students. But it all starts with this first little rock being thrown into the pond. Hopefully the little wave it makes will eventually turn into the big splash!”

If you are interested in participating, here are the details:

Website: http://www.daytonrotaryride.info/home.html

When: Saturday June 20th. Registration starts at 7am. Ride ends at 2pm

Where: Xenia Station, Xenia Ohio. The physical address is 150 N. Miami Ave, Xenia, OH 45385.

Cost: $20 – $35 (depending on the package you choose)

NOTE: Everyone must wear a helmet, no exceptions.

3 Cheers for 3 Years at Fifth Street Brewpub

June 16, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Fifth Street Brewpub (FSB), the only co-operatively owned brewpub in Dayton, and the fastest growing one in the nation, announced today they will be celebrating their 3rd birthday on June 19, 20 and 21 with a weekend birthday bash. The event is open to the public and there will be something for everyone, so all are invited to join in the fun.

Board of Directors Member and Communication Director, Laura Hensley, said event attendees can expect a “fun-filled weekend, complete with live music on Friday by FSB favorite local artist Kevin Brown from 7 – 8 pm and, from Charlotte, North Carolina, double-neck guitarist Mark Kroos, from 8 – 10 pm. Plus, we’ll have our “I Own a Brewpub” selfie contest, new FSB beer releases, $3.00 pints of FSB beer on Saturday, $5.00 off FSB growlers on Sunday, and so much more. This truly is a three-day celebration.”

Libby Ballengee, one of 2600 owners!

There’s even an “I Own a Brewpub” selfie contest. To enter the FSB “I Own a Brewpub” Photo Contest for a chance to win one of three $100 FSB gift certificates follow these 3 steps:

1. take a selfie at the FSB selfie station with B.O.B., also know as “Big Ole Beer,” 49,000 ounces of pure happiness.

2. tag your selfie with ‪#‎iownabrewpub‬ @fifthstbrewpub.

3. post your selfie on your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter Page

Patrons will be able to enjoy everything the brewpub has to offer including twelve great craft beers on tap, a wide selection of red and white wine, mixed drinks and FSB signature pub food.

While Fifth Street Brewpub is co-operatively owned, and has more than 2,600 member-owners, it is open to the public, too. Interested non-members can still join the brewpub at the one-time fee of $125 and own a share of the co-op. For more details visit www.brewpubgifts.com.

Fifth Street Brewpub’s hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday 4 pm to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to midnight and Sunday noon to 10 pm. For more information, call (937) 443-0919.

Vectren Dayton Air Show Adds Ultralight Display

June 16, 2015 By Lisa Grigsby

Some of the most fascinating flying machines at this weekend’s Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger will also be some of the tiniest.

While massive military jets such as the Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter and KC-135 refueler will dominate the static display area at Dayton International Airport, spectators will also have a chance to discover the world of light-sport and ultralight aircraft—the smallest, simplest machines one can fly.

As many as six light airplanes are scheduled to be on display both days of the weekend air show. While numbers and types are subject to change, the lineup includes examples of Challenger, Phantom, Quicksilver, Rans, Titan and Xenon aircraft. Put on by local enthusiasts, the ultralight display is new to the air show this year.

Instead of streamlined hulls and jet engines, these one- or two-seat machines are made with tubes, wires and fabric. They typically have two-stroke engines that deliver 30 to 60 horsepower. They don’t go fast, but their open-air designs offer spectacular views.

“They give the pilot a bird’s eye view of the world with the wind in his face,” said Paul Lindamood, director of Dayton Ultralights, an informal group of recreational fliers based at Moraine Airpark.

“Ultralight flying is largely about the simplicity, the romance and the glory days of flying—the sheer exhilaration of being a part of the wind, the sky and the elements,” said Lindamood, who plans to display his Quicksilver 2S both days.

Lindamood believes ultralight flying allows one to experience flight as the Wright brothers knew it—but with the benefit of today’s aerospace materials and design knowledge. “Wilbur and Orville would have marveled at what these modern day craft can do,” he said.

Originally organized in 2000 and revived in 2013, Dayton Ultralights holds numerous annual fly-ins, contests and group flying excursions. It counts a local flying membership of 75, with more than 30 pilots and aircraft based in the Dayton region. Its Facebook page includes more than 1,100 pilots from around the world.

“We work to reach out to the flying and non-flying community in communicating the merits of ultralight and open-air flying. We endeavor to adhere to all conventional rules of flight and airport safety operations, and to constantly improve our flying skills and abilities,” Lindamood said.

The Vectren Dayton Air Show is one of America’s top annual aviation events. This year’s headliner act will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Joining them will be the U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet, U.S. Army Golden Knights and a U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) demonstration. Making its first appearance in Dayton will be the Breitling Jet Team from Dijon, France, on its first North American Tour. The show will also feature Jack Link’s Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet WACO, Mat Younkin’s Beech 18 aerobatics, the legendary Sean D. Tucker, the Shockwave Jet Truck and the Wright “B” Flyer, a lookalike of the Wright brothers’ first production airplane.

Discount general admission tickets are on sale at area Kroger Stores. The Greater Dayton RTA is offering Park & Ride express shuttle service from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Gates are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The feature show takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Spass Nacht – An Austrian Festival

June 15, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

In honor of Kettering’s sister city, Steyr, Austria, we celebrate with a Spass Nacht (translation: Fun Night). Spass Nacht is an annual fundraiser for the Kettering Sister Cities Association. Kettering has sister cities in both Steyr, Austria, and Kettering, England. This annual fundraiser will help support youth exchanges to Steyr, Austria.